Facile synthesis of molybdenum carbide nanoparticles in situ decorated on nitrogen-doped porous carbons for hydrogen evolution reaction

Molybdenum-based electrocatalysts are promising candidates of platinum(Pt)-based materials in electrocatalyzing hydrogen evolution reaction(HER), due to their cost-efficient and resembled electronic properties. Reported herein is the preparation of molybdenum carbide nanoparticles uniformly decorated on nitrogen-modified carbons(Mo_2C/NC) through the carbonization of Mo-based polymers under hydrogen atmosphere by using poly(p-phenylenediamine) and ammonium heptamolybdate polymer analogue as precursors. And the molybdenum nitride nanoparticles loaded on porous N-doped carbons(Mo_2N/NC)are also fabricated by calcination the polymer precursors in nitrogen gas. The Mo_2C/NC shows more excellent electrocatalytic activity than Mo_2N/NC in 0.5 M H_2SO_4, together with robust long-term durability. The well-crystalline nanoparticles and the increased electron conductivity are the main characters responded for the high catalytic efficiency of the fabricated electrocatalysts. This easily fabrication procedure may provide a facile route to prepare non-noble metal carbide/nitride catalysts featuring wellengineered structural and textural peculiarities for realistic energy conversion system.