AUTHOR=Hussain Sajjad , Vikraman Dhanasekaran , Feroze Asad , Song Wooseok , An Ki-Seok , Kim Hyun-Seok , Chun Seung-Hyun , Jung Jongwan 

TITLE=Synthesis of Mo2C and W2C Nanoparticle Electrocatalysts for the Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkali and Acid Electrolytes

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Chemistry

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2019.00716

DOI=10.3389/fchem.2019.00716

ISSN=2296-2646

ABSTRACT=<p>The synthesis of low cost, high efficacy, and durable hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts from the non-noble metal group is a major challenge. Herein, we establish a simple and inexpensive chemical reduction method for producing molybdenum carbide (Mo<sub>2</sub>C) and tungsten carbide (W<sub>2</sub>C) nanoparticles that are efficient electrocatalysts in alkali and acid electrolytes for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER). Mo<sub>2</sub>C exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic behavior with an overpotential of −134 mV in acid medium and of −116 mV in alkaline medium, while W<sub>2</sub>C nanoparticles require an overpotential of −173 mV in acidic medium and −130 mV in alkaline medium to attain a current density of 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>. The observed results prove the capability of high- and low-pH active electrocatalysts of Mo<sub>2</sub>C and W<sub>2</sub>C nanoparticles to be efficient systems for hydrogen production through HER water electrolysis.</p>