Molybdenum Carbide Nanoparticles on Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Xerogel: Low-Cost Cathodes for Hydrogen Production by Alkaline Water Electrolysis

ChemSusChem. 2016 May 23;9(10):1200-8. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201501651. Epub 2016 Apr 21.

Abstract

Low-cost molybdenum carbide (Mo2 C) nanoparticles supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and on carbon xerogel (CXG) were prepared and their activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was evaluated in 8 m KOH aqueous electrolyte at 25-85 °C. Measurements of the HER by linear scan voltammetry allowed us to determine Tafel slopes of 71 and 74 mV dec(-1) at 25 °C for Mo2 C/CNT and Mo2 C/CXG, respectively. Stability tests were also performed, which showed the steady performance of the two electrocatalysts. Moreover, the HER kinetics at Mo2 C/CNT was enhanced significantly after the long-term stability tests. The specific activity of both materials was high, and a higher stability was obtained for the activated Mo2 C/CNT (40 A g(-1) at -0.40 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode).

Keywords: carbides; electrochemistry; hydrogen; molybdenum; supported catalysts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbon / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Electrodes / economics
  • Electrolysis / economics
  • Electrolysis / instrumentation*
  • Gels
  • Hydrogen / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Molybdenum / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Gels
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • molybdenum carbide
  • Water
  • Carbon
  • Hydrogen
  • Molybdenum