Molybdenum carbide on hierarchical porous carbon synthesized from Cu-MoO2 as efficient electrocatalysts for electrochemical hydrogen generation

• Published in: Nano energy 2017-11, Vol.41, p.749-757
• Main Authors: Jia, Jin, Zhou, Weijia, Wei, Zhaoqian, Xiong, Tanli, Li, Guixiang, Zhao, Lili, Zhang, Xiaofei, Liu, Hong, Zhou, Jian, Chen, Shaowei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalytic site; Cu template; Hydrogen evolution reaction; Molybdenum carbide; Porous carbon rod
• ISSN: 2211-2855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2017.10.030

Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from water electrolysis, currently, is fundamental for large-scale solar fuel production by utilizing earth-abundant element and non-noble metal-based catalysts. Herein, Mo2C on hierarchical porous carbon rods composed of cross-linked carbon networks (Mo2C/CLCN) was synthesized by using Cu-MoO2 rods as Mo source and Cu template. The copper plays key roles in protecting Mo2C from excess covering carbon to enhance the HER performance. When evaluated for HER activity, Mo2C/CLCN exhibit a low onset potential of −85mV with a Tafel slope of 48.2mVdec−1, an operating overpotential of 145mV at the cathodic current density of 10mAcm−2 and outstanding long-term cycling stability in acidic electrolyte, which superior to most of non-doping Mo2C. This work suggests that the in-situ template method by multi-element compounds is an inspiring strategy for synthesizing the efficient water splitting electrocatalysts with high electrochemical active area and more catalytically active sites. [Display omitted] •Mo2C/CLCN was synthesized by using Cu-MoO2 rods as Mo source and Cu template.•DFT calculation confirmed Mo atoms on C plane were the main catalytic sites of Mo2C.•Cu plays key roles in the formation of porous carbon and the exposure of Mo2C.