Large scale synthesis of Mo_2C nanoparticle incorporated carbon nanosheet (Mo_2G-C) for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction

摘要

Herein, we report the development of a simple, scalable, and cost-effective strategy for the synthesis of 2D sheets of molybdenum carbide and carbon (Mo2C-C) nanocomposite, by spray drying, as an efficient electrocatalyst. The synthetic methodology contains spray drying of clear aqueous precursor solution mixture of ammonium carbonate, ammonium heptamolybdate, and glucose followed by calcination under N-2 atmosphere. The desired Mo2C nanoparticle and carbon were synthesized through carbothermal reduction of spray-dried carbonaceous mass, where partially decomposed glucose serves as carbon source. The synthesized Mo2C-C sheets calcined at an optimized temperature of 800 degrees C (Mo2C-C 800) are thin, porous and contain homogeneously dispersed Mo2C nanoparticles (8-15 nm) in carbon. The Mo2C-C 800 modified glassy carbon electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with reduced over-potential of 110 mV at 10 mA/cm(2) (eta(10)) having reduced Tafel slope 69 mV dec(-1) in 0.5 M aqueous H2SO4 solution. The catalyst also showed long term stability in an acidic as well as in the red-ox environment. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.