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Synthesis of Mo2C/MoC/C nanocomposite for hydrogen evolution reaction

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Abstract

Our energy sources such as fossil fuels and coal are limited and cause air pollution. Hydrogen has been promoted as an alternative source of energy, which is renewable, cost-effective, and nature-friendly. Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) can be used for the mass production of hydrogen at a very low cost. An active and efficient electrocatalyst is required to perform this reaction. To date, platinum (Pt) shows the highest efficiency; however, its high cost and low abundance hinder its large-scale uses. Molybdenum carbide has a similar electronic structure as that of platinum (Pt); hence, it shows high electrocatalytic activity towards HER. In this study, Mo2C/MoC/C composite has been synthesized using magnesium as a reducing agent. Carbon provides a highly conducting environment to Mo2C and MoC nanoparticles, and hence, the electrochemical performance is enhanced. The prepared sample shows a small Tafel slope of 125.5 mV/dec and long-term stability up to 5000 cyclic voltammetry cycles.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are highly thankful to SAI lab, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, for XRD analysis. The authors are grateful to Dr. R. Venkatesh (Scientist-E) for FESEM measurements. The authors offer special gratitude to Mr. Manu Vashistha, AIRF-JNU, New Delhi, for TEM analysis.

Funding

This work was supported by UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research (project no.- CSR-IC-239/2017–18/1320) Indore, India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physics and Materials Science, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala, 147004, India

    Sanjay Upadhyay & O. P. Pandey

Authors
  1. Sanjay Upadhyay
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  2. O. P. Pandey
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Correspondence to O. P. Pandey.

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Highlights

•Mo2C/MoC/C nanocomposite: an efficient electrocatalyst for HER

•Carbon provides a high conductivity environment and guards active sites of the electrocatalyst

•Cost-effective method to prepare Mo2C/MoC/C in one step

•Mo2C/MoC/C has good HER activity in an acidic medium

Supplementary information

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Supplementary file1 (DOCX 89 KB)

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Upadhyay, S., Pandey, O.P. Synthesis of Mo2C/MoC/C nanocomposite for hydrogen evolution reaction. J Solid State Electrochem 26, 559–564 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-021-05096-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-021-05096-5

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