Carbon Quantum Dots Modulated NiMoP Hollow Nanopetals as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Although transition metal materials are extensively studied for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) because of their intrinsic electrochemical properties, their practical applications have been hindered by low conductivity, unsatisfactory activity, and poor stability. To develop an approach for practical applications, it is imperative to improve their electrocatalytic performance. Herein, we report the fabrication of hollow NiMoP nanopetals embedded with N-doped carbon dots (CDs) by a simple hydrothermal method. The addition of CDs can effectively modulate the morphology, reduce aggregation, and maintain long-term stability. Impressively, the optimal Ni5Mo3P@CDs3 exhibits excellent HER performance, in terms of a low overpotential of 183 mV at 10 mA cm–2, small Tafel slope of 41.04 mV dec–1, high conductivity, and remarkable long-term stability in acidic media for HER. This work opens an effective avenue to construct excellent property and accessible electrocatalysts for HER with the assistance of CDs.