The development of effective non-precious electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is highly desirable for the commercial application of hydrogen as a clean and renewable energy, whereas remains a big challenge. Here the hierarchical nanowires array (HNA) of iron phosphide (FeP) nanowires coated with iron phosphide nanorods grown on carbon fiber paper (CFP) was constructed, and exhibited remarkable catalytic activity in the HER. The overpotential required for the current density of 20 mA cm -2 is as small as 45 and 221 mV in acidic and basic solution, and the corresponding Tafel slope is 53 and 134 mV dec -1 , respectively. The effective catalytic activity of the CFP-FeP HNA in the HER, together with its long-term stability and nearly 100% faradaic efficiency in water electrolysis, make the CFP-FeP HNA one of the best non-noble electrocatalysts descried to date. The prominent catalytic activity of CFP-FeP HNA is correlated to a large number of active sites for the HER, and the fast electron transport from the CFP to the FeP nanorods mediated by FeP nanowires.

A facile method is developed for the synthesis of graphene porous foam (Gr PF) loaded with dispersed molybdenum carbide (Mo2 C) nanoparticles; the material exhibits effective catalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Mo2 C/Gr PF is synthesized by the carbonization of glucose and the carbothermal reduction of hexaammonium molybdate in a confined space defined by the intervals between sodium chloride nanoparticles. The synthesis in the confined space results in thin Gr PF (≈8 nm) loaded with aggregation-free small Mo2 C nanoparticles [(13±2) nm]. The overpotential required for a current density of 20 mA cm(-2) in the electrochemical hydrogen generation is as small as 199 mV in acidic solution and 380 mV in basic solution. The performance is superior to that of a Mo2 C/C composite and compares favorably to those reported for Mo2 C nanostructures. The Mo2 C/Gr PF affords stable water electrolysis in both acidic and basic solution and exhibits nearly 100 % faradaic efficiency. The prominent performance, long-term stability, and high faradic efficiency make Mo2 C/Gr PF a promising HER catalyst for practical hydrogen generation from water electrolysis.

Development of hybrid electrocatalysts with high activity and good stability is crucial for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of water electrocatalysis. In this work, cobalt oxide (Co 3 O 4) nanowires loaded on carbon fiber paper (CFP) were synthesized via hydrothermal method and annealing. The as-synthesized Co 3 O 4 nanowires exhibit an enhanced catalytic activity with low onset overpotential (1.52 V vs. RHE) and a small overpotential of 330 mV for a current density of 10 mA cm −2 with a Tafel slope of 60 mV• dec −1. In addition, the Co 3 O 4 nanowires maintain its electrocatalytic activity for at least 24 h in basic media. The enhanced performance of Co 3 O 4 nanowires/CFP can be attributed to the high conductivity of CFP, the synergistic effect of Co 3 O 4 and carbon, and high porosity of the nanowire. This study will open new possibilities for exploring water electrocatalysis.

A tungsten/tungsten dioxide nanowires array was constructed on a carbon paper through the thermal annealing of tungsten trioxide, and was proven to be an efficient hydrogen evolution cathode with strong durability in acidic solutions.