3D self-assembly of ultrafine molybdenum carbide confined in N-doped carbon nanosheets for efficient hydrogen production. Issue 41 (10th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Haiqing; Xu, Xiaobin; Ni, Bing; Li, Haoyi; Bian, Wei; Wang, Xun
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 9:Issue 41(2017)
• Page Start: 15895
• Page End: 15900
• Publication Date: 2017-10-10
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c7nr05500e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : 3D hierarchical architectures assembled from ultrafine MoC nanoparticles (0D) confined in N-doped conductive carbon nanosheets (2D) exhibit remarkable electrocatalytic performance and stability for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Abstract : Electrochemical water splitting has been intensively pursued as a promising approach to produce clean and sustainable hydrogen fuel. However, the lack of low-cost and high-performance electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) hinders the large-scale application. Herein, we have rationally designed and synthesized 3D self-assembly architectures assembled from ultrafine MoC nanoparticles (0D) uniformly embedded within N-doped carbon nanosheets (2D) for the HER via a simple protocol. The well-organized 3D nanostructures are composed of very small MoC nanocrystallites (<2 nm) and free-stretching conductive carbon nanosheets with high specific surface areas and abundant mesopores, which can expose more active sites and facilitate electron/ion transport pathways. Based on the merits of the composition and configuration, the resultant hierarchical 3D self-assembly architectures exhibit remarkable electrocatalytic performance and stability for the HER.