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Sprout‐like Growth of Mesoporous Mo 2 C/NC Nanonetworks as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution
Author(s) -
Fan Meihong,
Zheng Yuenan,
Li Ang,
Ma Yali,
Huo Qisheng,
Qiao ZhenAn,
Dai Sheng
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201701417
Subject(s) - overpotential , mesoporous material , materials science , catalysis , chemical engineering , crystallinity , nanotechnology , carbon fibers , nanoparticle , carbide , chemistry , metallurgy , electrochemistry , composite material , composite number , organic chemistry , electrode , engineering
Owing to their high surface areas, porous networks, nanosized walls, and unique electronic structure, mesoporous metal carbides with tailored nanoarchitectures are of particular interest for their prominent potential applications in various fields, including energy storage, fuel cells, and catalysis. Herein, we report a sprout‐like growth strategy for the preparation of a mesoporous β ‐Mo 2 C nanonetwork embedded in a nitrogen‐rich carbon matrix. The nanoarchitecture can be tailored from a mesoporous Mo 2 C nanonetwork film into Mo 2 C nanoparticles embedded into the carbon layer. The as‐prepared β ‐Mo 2 C material was demonstrated to drive a current density of 10 mA cm −2 at a low overpotential of 140 mV for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic conditions and to remain stable for at least 120 h. The excellent electrocatalytic performance may be from (1) mesoporous Mo 2 C frameworks offering numerous accessible active sites; (2) a carbon layer that protects the Mo 2 C from accumulation and favors electron transportation; and (3) shortened diffusion paths and ultrafine crystallinity that benefit its catalytic performance.