Facile synthesis of hollow carbon microspheres embedded with molybdenum carbide nanoparticles as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen generation. Issue 79 (10th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lv, Cuncai; Wang, Jie; Huang, Qingli; Yang, Qianpeng; Huang, Zhipeng; Zhang, Chi
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 6:Issue 79(2016)
• Page Start: 75870
• Page End: 75874
• Publication Date: 2016-08-10
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ra16490k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Hollow carbon microspheres embedded with molybdenum carbide nanoparticles are prepared via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The product exhibits an enhanced HER activity and good stability in the long-term operation both in acidic and basic solution. Abstract : In an attempt to exploit efficient and stable non-precious-metal electrocatalysts for hydrogen production from water electrolysis in both acid and basic solution, hollow carbon microspheres embedded with molybdenum carbide nanoparticles are prepared via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The as-synthesized catalyst exhibits superior activity in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with a small overpotential of 203 mV in acidic solution and 346 mV in basic solution to reach a current density of 20 mA cm −2 . The enhanced electrochemical activity should be ascribed to the effects of the anchored structure. The catalyst can work stably in both acidic and basic solution with 100% faradaic efficiency. These excellent properties make the catalyst a promising electrocatalyst in the HER.