Molybdenum Carbide Anchored on Graphene Nanoribbons as Highly Efficient All-pH Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalyst

Abstract

The demand for exploiting hydrogen as a new energy source has driven the development of feasible, efficient, and low-cost electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in different reaction media. Herein, we report the synthesis of molybdenum carbide (Mo 2 C) nanoparticles anchored on graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) as HER electrocatalyst that can function well under acidic, basic, and neutral conditions. GNRs obtained by unzipping carbon nanotubes (CNTs) display strip-like structure, offering abundant active sites for growing Mo 2 C nanoparticles. Furthermore, GNRs could provide a fast electron transport pathway as well as large exposed surface area to allow full impregnation of electrolytes. Coupling with the anticorrosion feature of Mo 2 C nanoparticles, the Mo 2 C–GNR hybrid exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic performance in all of the acidic, basic, and neutral media, making it promising as a highly efficient electrocatalyst under conditions at all pH values.