Synthesis of Mo2C nanoparticles on N-doped carbon as an electrocatalyst for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Molybdenum carbide (Mo₂C) has emerged as a subject of considerable research interest as an intrinsically Pt-like electronic and cost-effective alternative to platinum-based catalysts for the sustainable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, a high carbonization temperature can easily cause the agglomeration of nanoparticles. Therefore, we employed a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-assisted synthesis strategy, obtaining Mo₂C/CN-T nanoparticles by calcining the precursor Mo-ZIF at high temperature and low pressure. Utilizing the carbon defects, nitrogen doping, and nanosized active sites provided by ZIFs, the as-prepared electrocatalyst enables swift catalytic reaction kinetics and superior activity stability. The as-prepared Mo₂C/CN-850 manifests a high HER catalytic activity in acid and alkaline media with a small overpotential of 97 and 117 mV at 10 mA cm⁻², respectively and good stability at the industrial current density above 200 mA cm⁻².