Facile one-step synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon sheets supported tungsten carbide nanoparticles electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction. (27th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Su, Wei; Yan, Pengpeng; Wei, Xiaofeng; Zhu, Xuewei; Zhou, Qiongyu
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 45:Number 58(2020)
• Page Start: 33430
• Page End: 33439
• Publication Date: 2020-11-27
• Subjects: Molten salt synthesis -- Dicyandiamide -- Tungsten carbide -- Nitrogen-doped carbon sheets -- Hydrogen evolution reaction; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.09.055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Exploring non-precious metal catalysts with high activity and stability to replace Pt-based materials is vital for electrochemical water splitting. In this work, a facile one-step method was put forward to synthesize WC/NC composite. Due to the couple effect of KCl/NaCl salt and dicyandiamide, pure WC phase was obtained at 900 °C. Meanwhile, KCl/NaCl salt eliminated the runaway pyrolysis expansion of glucose. Besides contributing to the special surface area, dicyandiamide as N source significantly alleviated W mass loss trigged by KCl/NaCl salt and ensured the appropriate WC content in WC/NC composite. As a HER electrocatalyst in acid media, WC/NC composite exhibits the small overpotential of 156 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm −2, the low Tafel slope of 64 mV dec −1, as well as the robust stability. This work offers a feasible option to fabricate low-cost and effective transition metal carbide electrocatalysts on a large-scale for hydrogen evolution reaction. Highlights: A facile one-step method was developed to synthesize WC/NC catalyst. KCl/NaCl salt can eliminate the runaway pyrolysis expansion of glucose. W mass loss can be significantly suppressed by dicyandiamide. Dicyandiamide contributes to improve the electrochemical active surface area. WC/NC catalyst shows high activity and remarkable stability for HER in acid media.