Dual-phase MoC-Mo2C nanosheets prepared by molten salt electrochemical conversion of CO2 as excellent electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Yunfei Chen; Biao Gao; Mingyong Wang; Xiang Xiao; Aijing Lv; Shuqiang Jiao; Paul K. Chu

doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106533

Dual-phase MoC-Mo₂C nanosheets prepared by molten salt electrochemical conversion of CO₂ as excellent electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Yunfei Chen
, Biao Gao
, Mingyong Wang^*
, Xiang Xiao
, Aijing Lv
, Shuqiang Jiao^*
, Paul K. Chu^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

79 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Dual-phase structures usually have better electrocatalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to synergistic effects. Herein, a novel strategy is proposed to prepare dual-phase MoC-Mo₂C nanosheets by electro-reduction of CO₂ on the Mo cathode in CaCl₂-CaO molten salts through an in situ reaction between molybdenum and carbon. The composition of the molybdenum carbide samples can be adjusted by the cell voltage and temperature. As the Mo₂C contents go up, the HER activity of molybdenum carbide increases initially and then decreases slightly. The dual-phase MoC-Mo₂C nanosheets prepared at 850 °C and 2.5 V show the best activity due to the hydrogen adsorption-desorption balance. The results reveal an innovative and sustainable strategy to prepare highly efficient HER electrocatalysts and also a green route to recycle and utilize CO₂.

Original language	English
Article number	106533
Journal	Nano Energy
Volume	90
Issue number	Part A
Online published	22 Sept 2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106533
Publication status	Published - Dec 2021

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 13 Climate Action

Research Keywords

CO2
Dual phase structure
Hydrogen evolution reaction
Molten salt electrolysis
Molybdenum carbide

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10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106533

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Cite this

@article{710b5b59d7d34f029535f8c873d027c2,

title = "Dual-phase MoC-Mo2C nanosheets prepared by molten salt electrochemical conversion of CO2 as excellent electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction",

abstract = "Dual-phase structures usually have better electrocatalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to synergistic effects. Herein, a novel strategy is proposed to prepare dual-phase MoC-Mo2C nanosheets by electro-reduction of CO2 on the Mo cathode in CaCl2-CaO molten salts through an in situ reaction between molybdenum and carbon. The composition of the molybdenum carbide samples can be adjusted by the cell voltage and temperature. As the Mo2C contents go up, the HER activity of molybdenum carbide increases initially and then decreases slightly. The dual-phase MoC-Mo2C nanosheets prepared at 850 °C and 2.5 V show the best activity due to the hydrogen adsorption-desorption balance. The results reveal an innovative and sustainable strategy to prepare highly efficient HER electrocatalysts and also a green route to recycle and utilize CO2.",

keywords = "CO2, Dual phase structure, Hydrogen evolution reaction, Molten salt electrolysis, Molybdenum carbide",

author = "Yunfei Chen and Biao Gao and Mingyong Wang and Xiang Xiao and Aijing Lv and Shuqiang Jiao and Chu, \{Paul K.\}",

year = "2021",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106533",

language = "English",

volume = "90",

journal = "Nano Energy",

issn = "2211-2855",

publisher = "Elsevier B.V.",

number = "Part A",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Dual-phase MoC-Mo2C nanosheets prepared by molten salt electrochemical conversion of CO2 as excellent electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction

AU - Chen, Yunfei

AU - Gao, Biao

AU - Wang, Mingyong

AU - Xiao, Xiang

AU - Lv, Aijing

AU - Jiao, Shuqiang

AU - Chu, Paul K.

PY - 2021/12

Y1 - 2021/12

N2 - Dual-phase structures usually have better electrocatalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to synergistic effects. Herein, a novel strategy is proposed to prepare dual-phase MoC-Mo2C nanosheets by electro-reduction of CO2 on the Mo cathode in CaCl2-CaO molten salts through an in situ reaction between molybdenum and carbon. The composition of the molybdenum carbide samples can be adjusted by the cell voltage and temperature. As the Mo2C contents go up, the HER activity of molybdenum carbide increases initially and then decreases slightly. The dual-phase MoC-Mo2C nanosheets prepared at 850 °C and 2.5 V show the best activity due to the hydrogen adsorption-desorption balance. The results reveal an innovative and sustainable strategy to prepare highly efficient HER electrocatalysts and also a green route to recycle and utilize CO2.

AB - Dual-phase structures usually have better electrocatalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to synergistic effects. Herein, a novel strategy is proposed to prepare dual-phase MoC-Mo2C nanosheets by electro-reduction of CO2 on the Mo cathode in CaCl2-CaO molten salts through an in situ reaction between molybdenum and carbon. The composition of the molybdenum carbide samples can be adjusted by the cell voltage and temperature. As the Mo2C contents go up, the HER activity of molybdenum carbide increases initially and then decreases slightly. The dual-phase MoC-Mo2C nanosheets prepared at 850 °C and 2.5 V show the best activity due to the hydrogen adsorption-desorption balance. The results reveal an innovative and sustainable strategy to prepare highly efficient HER electrocatalysts and also a green route to recycle and utilize CO2.

KW - CO2

KW - Dual phase structure

KW - Hydrogen evolution reaction

KW - Molten salt electrolysis

KW - Molybdenum carbide

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85115923310

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85115923310#tab=impact

U2 - 10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106533

DO - 10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106533

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

SN - 2211-2855

VL - 90

JO - Nano Energy

JF - Nano Energy

IS - Part A

M1 - 106533

ER -