This invention relates to a
nitrogen-
phosphorus co-doped composite
carbon nanotube catalyst, its in-situ growth preparation method, and its application. The in-situ growth preparation method includes the following steps: immersing a conductive
nickel-containing substrate with a three-dimensional porous structure in a precursor solution containing both
nitrogen and
phosphorus elements; removing and
drying the substrate; and then subjecting it to a
calcination reaction in a
flame under a combustible
atmosphere. This causes the precursor to burn and decompose on the
substrate surface, resulting in an in-situ reaction and growth of a three-dimensional
network structure of
nitrogen- and
phosphorus-
doped carbon nanotubes embedded with
nickel nanoparticles. After cooling, the nitrogen-phosphorus co-doped composite
carbon nanotube catalyst is obtained supported on the substrate. Compared with existing technologies, this invention enables the one-step, rapid, and inexpensive preparation of a non-
precious metal catalyst with a highly conductive network, abundant active sites, and excellent stability on a conductive substrate, which can be directly used for efficient water
electrolysis to produce
hydrogen, thereby promoting its large-scale industrial application.