Ultrasmall and phase-pure W2C nanoparticles for efficient electrocatalytic and photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution

Earlier research has been primarily focused on WC as one of the most promising earth-abundant electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), whereas the other compound in this carbide family—W 2 C—has received far less attention. Our theoretical calculations suggest that such a focus is mis...

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Published in:Nature communications 2016-10, Vol.7 (1), p.13216-8, Article 13216
Main Authors: Gong, Qiufang, Wang, Yu, Hu, Qi, Zhou, Jigang, Feng, Renfei, Duchesne, Paul N., Zhang, Peng, Chen, Fengjiao, Han, Na, Li, Yafei, Jin, Chuanhong, Li, Yanguang, Lee, Shuit-Tong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
119/118
140/146
639/301/357/354
639/638/563/979
639/638/675
639/638/77/886
Adsorption
Atoms & subatomic particles
Carbon
Electrocatalysis
Electrons
Humanities and Social Sciences
Hydrogen
Materials science
multidisciplinary
Nanoparticles
Precious metals
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Sintering
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Summary:Earlier research has been primarily focused on WC as one of the most promising earth-abundant electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), whereas the other compound in this carbide family—W 2 C—has received far less attention. Our theoretical calculations suggest that such a focus is misplaced and W 2 C is potentially more HER-active than WC. Nevertheless, the preparation of phase pure and sintering-free W 2 C nanostructures represents a formidable challenge. Here we develop an improved carburization method and successfully prepare ultrasmall and phase-pure W 2 C nanoparticles. When evaluated for HER electrocatalysis, W 2 C nanoparticles exhibit a small onset overpotential of 50 mV, a Tafel slope of 45 mV dec −1 and outstanding long-term cycling stability, which are dramatically improved over all existing WC-based materials. In addition, the integration of W 2 C nanoparticles with p-type Si nanowires enables highly active and sustainable solar-driven hydrogen production. Our results highlight the great potential of this traditionally non-popular material in HER electrocatalysis. Tungsten carbide has yet to live up to its long-believed potential as a replacement for precious metal electrocatalysts. Here, Li and co-workers demonstrate that ditungsten carbide in the form of ultrasmall, phase-pure nanoparticles is a better candidate for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
ISSN:2041-1723
2041-1723
DOI:10.1038/ncomms13216