Dual-phased Mo2C/Mo3N2/C nanosheets for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Issue 12 (8th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tian, Guangyan; Yao, Bingxue; Han, Gaofeng; Li, Yan; Zhang, Kefeng; Meng, Junping
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 11:Issue 12(2023)
• Page Start: 6581
• Page End: 6590
• Publication Date: 2023-03-08
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d2ta09813j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Mo2 C is a promising electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on account of its Pt-like electronic features. Abstract : Mo2 C is a promising electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on account of its Pt-like electronic features. However, the electronic structure of pure Mo2 C is unfavourable for the desorption of Hads ; thus, Mo2 C exhibits poor catalytic performance. Herein, dual-phased Mo2 C/Mo3 N2 /C nanosheets with an abundant heterostructure is prepared as a high-performance and low-cost electrocatalyst for HER. Mo2 C/Mo3 N2 /C has low overpotentials of 76 and 121 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm −2, with low Tafel slopes of 52.6 and 59.4 mV dec −1, respectively, under alkaline and acidic conditions. Also, Mo2 C/Mo3 N2 /C shows outstanding long-term stability with negligible decay in 1 M KOH and in 0.5 M H2 SO4 observed even after 3000 cycles. The excellent electrocatalytic performance of Mo2 C/Mo3 N2 /C is attributed to (1) the suitable ratio of Mo2 C : Mo3 N2 and the synergistic effect that well controlled the state of Hads, which is favourable for the Volmer–Heyrovsky/Tafel reaction; (2) the compounds Mo2 C and Mo3 N2 on the nanoscale form abundant heterogeneous nanointerfaces to facilitate electron transfer; (3) the loose and porous structure of Mo2 C/Mo3 N2 /C created more active sites, which facilitated its contact with the electrolyte and also facilitated bubble release. This study provides a novel strategy for the preparation of highly efficient electrocatalysts with heterostructures for HER applications.