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Rational Design of Single Molybdenum Atoms Anchored on N‐Doped Carbon for Effective Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Author(s) -
Chen Wenxing,
Pei Jiajing,
He ChunTing,
Wan Jiawei,
Ren Hanlin,
Zhu Youqi,
Wang Yu,
Dong Juncai,
Tian Shubo,
Cheong WengChon,
Lu Siqi,
Zheng Lirong,
Zheng Xusheng,
Yan Wensheng,
Zhuang Zhongbin,
Chen Chen,
Peng Qing,
Wang Dingsheng,
Li Yadong
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201710599
Subject(s) - x ray absorption fine structure , catalysis , electrocatalyst , density functional theory , scanning transmission electron microscopy , molybdenum , carbon fibers , moiety , electrochemistry , absorption spectroscopy , chemistry , hydrogen storage , rational design , materials science , hydrogen , crystallography , spectroscopy , nanotechnology , inorganic chemistry , transmission electron microscopy , computational chemistry , stereochemistry , organic chemistry , composite number , composite material , physics , electrode , quantum mechanics
The highly efficient electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) provides a promising pathway to resolve energy and environment problems. An electrocatalyst was designed with single Mo atoms (Mo‐SAs) supported on N‐doped carbon having outstanding HER performance. The structure of the catalyst was probed by aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (AC‐STEM) and X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy, indicating the formation of Mo‐SAs anchored with one nitrogen atom and two carbon atoms (Mo 1 N 1 C 2 ). Importantly, the Mo 1 N 1 C 2 catalyst displayed much more excellent activity compared with Mo 2 C and MoN, and better stability than commercial Pt/C. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation revealed that the unique structure of Mo 1 N 1 C 2 moiety played a crucial effect to improve the HER performance. This work opens up new opportunities for the preparation and application of highly active and stable Mo‐based HER catalysts.