A durable and pH-universal self-standing MoC–Mo2C heterojunction electrode for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction

Wei Liu, Xiting Wang, Fan Wang, Kaifa Du, Zhaofu Zhang, Yuzheng Guo (), Huayi Yin () and Dihua Wang ()
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Wei Liu: Wuhan University
Xiting Wang: Wuhan University
Fan Wang: Wuhan University
Kaifa Du: Wuhan University
Zhaofu Zhang: University of Cambridge
Yuzheng Guo: Wuhan University
Huayi Yin: Wuhan University
Dihua Wang: Wuhan University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Efficient water electrolyzers are constrained by the lack of low-cost and earth-abundant hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts that can operate at industry-level conditions and be prepared with a facile process. Here we report a self-standing MoC–Mo2C catalytic electrode prepared via a one-step electro-carbiding approach using CO2 as the feedstock. The outstanding HER performances of the MoC–Mo2C electrode with low overpotentials at 500 mA cm−2 in both acidic (256 mV) and alkaline electrolytes (292 mV), long-lasting lifetime of over 2400 h (100 d), and high-temperature performance (70 oC) are due to the self-standing hydrophilic porous surface, intrinsic mechanical strength and self-grown MoC (001)–Mo2C (101) heterojunctions that have a ΔGH* value of −0.13 eV in acidic condition, and the energy barrier of 1.15 eV for water dissociation in alkaline solution. The preparation of a large electrode (3 cm × 11.5 cm) demonstrates the possibility of scaling up this process to prepare various carbide electrodes with rationally designed structures, tunable compositions, and favorable properties.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27118-6

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