Abstract
In an attempt to tailor low-cost, precious-metal-free electrocatalysts for water electrolysis in acid, molybdenum carbide (β-Mo2C) nanoparticles are prepared by in situ carburization of ammonium molybdate on carbon nanotubes and XC-72R carbon black without using any gaseous carbon source. The formation of Mo2C is investigated by thermogravimetry and in situ X-ray diffraction. X-ray absorption analysis reveals that Mo 2C nanoparticles are inlaid or anchored into the carbon supports, and the electronic modification makes the surface exhibit a relatively moderate Mo-H bond strength. It is found that carbon nanotube-supported Mo2C showed superior electrocatalytic activity and stability in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) compared to the bulk Mo2C. An overpotential of 63 mV for driving 1 mA cm-2 of current density was measured for the nanotube-supported Mo2C catalysts; this exceeds the activity of analogous Mo2C catalysts. The enhanced electrochemical activity is facilitated by unique effects of the anchored structure coupled with the electronic modification.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 943-951 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Energy and Environmental Science |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2013 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Environmental Chemistry
- Pollution
- Nuclear Energy and Engineering
Cite this
Highly active and durable nanostructured molybdenum carbide electrocatalysts for hydrogen production. / Chen, W. F.; Wang, C. H.; Sasaki, K.; Marinkovic, N.; Xu, W.; Muckerman, James; Zhu, Y.; Adzic, R. R.
In: Energy and Environmental Science, Vol. 6, No. 3, 03.2013, p. 943-951.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Highly active and durable nanostructured molybdenum carbide electrocatalysts for hydrogen production
AU - Chen, W. F.
AU - Wang, C. H.
AU - Sasaki, K.
AU - Marinkovic, N.
AU - Xu, W.
AU - Muckerman, James
AU - Zhu, Y.
AU - Adzic, R. R.
PY - 2013/3
Y1 - 2013/3
N2 - In an attempt to tailor low-cost, precious-metal-free electrocatalysts for water electrolysis in acid, molybdenum carbide (β-Mo2C) nanoparticles are prepared by in situ carburization of ammonium molybdate on carbon nanotubes and XC-72R carbon black without using any gaseous carbon source. The formation of Mo2C is investigated by thermogravimetry and in situ X-ray diffraction. X-ray absorption analysis reveals that Mo 2C nanoparticles are inlaid or anchored into the carbon supports, and the electronic modification makes the surface exhibit a relatively moderate Mo-H bond strength. It is found that carbon nanotube-supported Mo2C showed superior electrocatalytic activity and stability in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) compared to the bulk Mo2C. An overpotential of 63 mV for driving 1 mA cm-2 of current density was measured for the nanotube-supported Mo2C catalysts; this exceeds the activity of analogous Mo2C catalysts. The enhanced electrochemical activity is facilitated by unique effects of the anchored structure coupled with the electronic modification.
AB - In an attempt to tailor low-cost, precious-metal-free electrocatalysts for water electrolysis in acid, molybdenum carbide (β-Mo2C) nanoparticles are prepared by in situ carburization of ammonium molybdate on carbon nanotubes and XC-72R carbon black without using any gaseous carbon source. The formation of Mo2C is investigated by thermogravimetry and in situ X-ray diffraction. X-ray absorption analysis reveals that Mo 2C nanoparticles are inlaid or anchored into the carbon supports, and the electronic modification makes the surface exhibit a relatively moderate Mo-H bond strength. It is found that carbon nanotube-supported Mo2C showed superior electrocatalytic activity and stability in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) compared to the bulk Mo2C. An overpotential of 63 mV for driving 1 mA cm-2 of current density was measured for the nanotube-supported Mo2C catalysts; this exceeds the activity of analogous Mo2C catalysts. The enhanced electrochemical activity is facilitated by unique effects of the anchored structure coupled with the electronic modification.
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U2 - 10.1039/c2ee23891h
DO - 10.1039/c2ee23891h
M3 - Article
VL - 6
SP - 943
EP - 951
JO - Energy and Environmental Science
JF - Energy and Environmental Science
SN - 1754-5692
IS - 3
ER -