Molybdenum-Carbide-Modified Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Vesicle Encapsulating Nickel Nanoparticles: A Highly Efficient, Low-Cost Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Despite being promising substitutes for noble metal catalysts used in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the nonprecious metal catalysts (NPMCs) based on inexpensive and earth-abundant 3d transition metals (TMs) are still practically unfeasible due mainly to unsatisfactory activity and durability. Herein, a highly active and stable catalyst for HER has been developed on the basis of molybdenum-carbide-modified N-doped carbon vesicle encapsulating Ni nanoparticles (MoxC-Ni@NCV). This MoxC-Ni@NCV material was synthesized simply by the solid-state thermolysis of melamine-related composites of oxalate and molybdate with uniform Ni ions doping (Ni@MOM-com). Notably, the prepared MoxC-Ni@NCV was almost the most efficient NPMCs for HER in acidic electrolyte to date. Besides good long-term stability, MoxC-Ni@NCV exhibited a quiet low overpotential that was comparable to Pt/C. Thus, this work opens a new avenue toward the development of highly efficient, inexpensive HER catalysts.

A one-dimensional porous carbon-supported Ni/Mo2C dual catalyst for efficient water splitting

“…However, our results showed that the nitrogen content in the studied catalysts had little effect on the HER activity, although the nitrogen content in nitrogen-doped carbon was described to be crucial to the HER activity. 50,51 Therefore, we reasoned that the nitrogen dopant is not the main reason for the enhanced HER activity of Ni/Mo 2 C-PC (Fig. S12, ESI†).…”

“…23–27 In view of the above considerations, chemically coupling Ni with Mo 2 C is supposed to result in an improved HER catalytic activity. 28 Moreover, such combination is also likely to realize outstanding OER performance owing to the presence of OER-active Ni. 29–32 This catalyst design eventually will lead to a new bifunctional catalyst for efficient overall water splitting application, which is highly desirable for electrolyser development.…”

Rational Design of Metal‐Organic Framework Derived Hollow NiCo2O4 Arrays for Flexible Supercapacitor and Electrocatalysis

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] In particular, due to their porous structures with high surface areas, MOFs are ideal sacrificial templates to derive into various porous active materials, such as carbonaceous materials, metal oxides, and metal phosphides. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] For example, a novel hollowed cubic NiS nanoframe electrode was achieved by anion exchange of a Ni-Co MOF with S 2− ions, which demonstrated enhanced capacitive performance for electrochemical capacitors. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] For example, a novel hollowed cubic NiS nanoframe electrode was achieved by anion exchange of a Ni-Co MOF with S 2− ions, which demonstrated enhanced capacitive performance for electrochemical capacitors.…”

Heterogeneous Spin States in Ultrathin Nanosheets Induce Subtle Lattice Distortion To Trigger Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] A critical element to vanquish this challenge is the design of satisfactory electrocatalysts with low overpotential, a small Tafel slope, and a large exchange current to drive hydrogen evolution. 8 Illuminated by the burgeoning exploratory research, the economical and abundant metal dichalcogenides, [9][10][11][12][13][14][15] nitrides, [16][17][18] phosphides, [19][20][21][22][23][24] etc.…”