Ultrafine Electrospun Cobalt-Molybdenum Bimetallic Nitride as a Durable Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Transition metal nitrides are promising electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) owing to their Pt-like electronic structure. However, the harsh nitriding conditions greatly limit their large-scale applications. Herein, ultrafine Co3Mo3N-Mo2C (<1 nm)-decorated carbon nanofibers (Co3Mo3N-Mo2C/CNFs) were prepared by electrostatic spinning followed by pyrolysis treatment, in which the MoCo-MOF simultaneously serves as the precursor and nitrogen source. The generated synergistic interactions between Mo2C and Co3Mo3N significantly adjust the electronic structure of Mo2C and afford a fast charge transfer, which endows the resultant hybrid with superior HER electrocatalytic performances. Specifically, the as-obtained Co3Mo3N-Mo2C/CNF delivers a low overpotential of only 76 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm–2 and superior durability with no obvious degradation for 200 h in acidic media. This performance outperforms most of the transition metal-based electrocatalysts reported to date. This work paves a new way for the design of catalysts with ultrasmall size and high efficiency in energy conversion.

Design strategy of encapsulated nanoplates and nanorods (ID-CoMo): enhanced catalytic activity and sustainability for overall & solar cell water splitting

“…8c). 41 Three peaks at 529.5, 530.6, and 531.6 eV can be observed in the O 1s spectra of ID-CoMo, as depicted in Fig. 8d.…”

Electrospinning construction of a Fe–Ni-based multicomponent hybrid as synergistic electrocatalyst for water electrolysis

“…55 Ultrafine Co 3 Mo 3 N-Mo 2 C-decorated carbon nanofibers have shown high HER performance in acidic media. 56 Also, transition metal alloys can improve the electronic structure of the catalyst surface and enhance the catalytic activity and stability. 57 However, most catalysts were limited by single functionality or low activity, therefore, it is expected to construct multifunctional catalysts with high activities by composite multiple components.…”