Porous nanoMoC@graphite shell derived from a MOFs-directed strategy: an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Materials for energy and sustainability, 2016-01, Vol.4 (16), p.66-613
• Main Authors: Shi, Zhangping, Wang, Yangxia, Lin, Huanlei, Zhang, Hongbin, Shen, Meikun, Xie, Songhai, Zhang, Yahong, Gao, Qingsheng, Tang, Yi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2050-7488; 2050-7496
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ta01900e

The hydrogen evolution reaction using noble-metal free electrocatalysts has captured increasing attention due to its importance in renewable hydrogen production. Herein, a highly active and stable electrocatalyst of MoC encapsulated by graphitized carbon shells (nanoMoC@GS) has been developed via an in situ carburization of a Mo-based metalorganic framework (Mo-MOF) with the atomic periodic structure. The ultrafine MoC nanoparticles (3 nm) confined by 13 layered graphite shells significantly favor the efficient HER in both acidic and basic media. In particular, a low overpotential ( 10 = 124 and 77 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm 2 ), a small Tafel slope (43 and 50 mV dec 1 ) and a high exchange current density ( j 0 = 0.015 and 0.212 mA cm 2 ) are achieved on nanoMoC@GS in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 and 1.0 M KOH, respectively. Such remarkable activity, outperforming most current noble-metal-free electrocatalysts, stems from the cooperative/synergistic effects of ultrafine MoC nanostructure, ultrathin and conductive graphitized carbon shells, and enriched porosity. This work demonstrates a feasible way to design high-performance electrocatalysts via converting atomic contact hybrid structures ( e.g. , MOFs), illustrating a new perspective for developing nanocatalysts in the energy chemistry field. A porous nanoMoC@GS electrocatalyst consists of ultrafine MoC nanoparticles encapsulated by ultrathin graphite shells and exhibits a remarkable HER activity.