Controllable synthesis of molybdenum carbide nanoparticles embedded in porous graphitized carbon matrixes as efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction. (10th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mu, Yanping; Zhang, Yan; Fang, Ling; Liu, Li; Zhang, Huijuan; Wang, Yu
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 215(2016)
• Page Start: 357
• Page End: 365
• Publication Date: 2016-10-10
• Subjects: cornstalks -- molybdenum carbide nanoparticles -- graphitized carbon matrixes -- hydrogen evolution reaction; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2016.08.104
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Mo2 C nanoparticles embedded in graphitized carbon matrixes are synthesized. Carbon matrixes are derived from economic and environmental cornstalks. The composite shows excellent properties for HER in acidic and basic medium. The strategy can be used to synthesize other similar materials. Abstract: Molybdenum carbide nanoparticles embedded in porous sheet-like graphitized carbon matrixes (Mo2 C/C) were controllably synthesized by a simple one-step solid reaction strategy. Remarkably, the porous graphitized carbon matrixes, which can efficiently restrain Mo2 C nanoparticles from aggregation and improve the conductivity of the synthesized composites, are derived from the economic and environment-friendly agricultural by-product of cornstalks. Thanks to the novel structure, small size, large surface active area and high conductivity, the Mo2 C/C composites exhibits superior performance when they are used as electrocatalyst in 0.5 M H2 SO4 for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The overpotential ( η10 ) to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm −2 is low to 114 mV, and the Tafel slope is only 52 mV dec −1 . Besides, the Mo2 C/C composites show large exchange current density (j0 ) of 0.286 mA cm −2 . Furthermore, the synthesized sample behaves excellent stability over 20 h in acidic media for HER. More interestingly, the Mo2 C/C composites behave comparable activities and stability in basic condition with those in acidic condition, which is meritorious.