Semimetallic MoP2: an active and stable hydrogen evolution electrocatalyst over the whole pH range.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Sustainable Energy

Background:

• Efficient non-precious metal electrocatalysts are crucial for sustainable hydrogen production via water splitting.
• Developing cost-effective and highly active catalysts remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and evaluate semimetallic molybdenum phosphide nanoparticle films on a metal molybdenum plate (MoP2 NPs/Mo) as a novel hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst.
• To investigate the catalytic activity and stability of the MoP2 NPs/Mo electrode across a wide pH range.

Main Methods:

• A facile two-step strategy was employed for the in situ fabrication of MoP2 NPs/Mo.
• The HER performance was assessed by measuring overpotentials at a current density of 10 mA cm(-2) in acidic, neutral, and alkaline media.
• Electrochemical stability was evaluated over extended operation.

Main Results:

• The MoP2 NPs/Mo electrode demonstrated superior HER catalytic activity in 0.5 M H2SO4 (143 mV), 1.0 M phosphate buffer solution (211 mV), and 1.0 M KOH (194 mV) at 10 mA cm(-2).
• The binder-free catalyst exhibited excellent long-term stability in electrolytes across a wide pH range.
• The fabrication method provides a new route for cost-effective, non-precious catalyst development.

Conclusions:

• The developed MoP2 NPs/Mo is a highly efficient, stable, and binder-free electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
• This work presents a promising avenue for advancing sustainable hydrogen production and other electrochemical applications using non-precious materials.