Cobalt-molybdenum carbide@graphitic carbon nanocomposites: Metallic cobalt promotes the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction. (6th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Xinran; He, Xiaobo; Yin, Fengxiang; Chen, Biaohua; Li, Guoru; Yin, Huaqiang
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 43:Number 49(2018)
• Page Start: 22243
• Page End: 22252
• Publication Date: 2018-12-06
• Subjects: Metallic cobalt -- Molybdenum carbide -- Hydrogen evolution reaction -- Electrocatalyst; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.10.085
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, a series of metallic cobalt-molybdenum carbide@graphitic carbon (CoMo(x:y)-T@GC) nanocomposites for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) were synthesized by a sol-gel method. In the as-prepared nanocomposites, β-Mo2 C and metallic Co coexisted and were encapsulated by graphitic carbon. The presence of metallic Co effectively enhanced the crystallinity of β-Mo2 C, charge transfer efficiency and electrochemical active surface area (ECSA), thus resulting in the improved HER catalytic activities of the CoMo(x:y)-T@GC nanocomposites. The optimized electrocatalyst CoMo(0.5:0.5)-800@GC required the lowest overpotential of ∼165 mV to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm −2 in 0.1 M KOH, which was at the forefront compared with recently reported Mo2 C-based electrocatalysts. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Metallic Co acted as an outstanding co-electrocatalyst of β-Mo2 C for HER. Metallic Co improved the crystallinity of β-Mo2 C. Metallic Co enhanced the charge transfer efficiency and ECSA. The optimized electrocatalyst showed the lowest η10 of ∼165 mV in 0.1 M KOH.