Loading…
Enhanced catalysis of the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction using composites of molybdenum-based compounds, gold nanoparticles and carbon
Joshi, Ubisha; Lee, Jing; Giordano, Cristina; Malkhandi, Souradip; Yeo, Boon Siang
Molybdenum nitride has been recently reported to interact synergistically with gold to show an enhanced activity for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (2H(+) + 2e(-) -> H-2, HER). In this work, we elucidated the roles of nitrogen, carbon, molybdenum and gold on this observed phenomenon. Composites of Mo-based compounds, carbon black (black pearl 2000) and/or Au nanoparticles (Au-NP) were prepared, and their activities for the HER in a 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte were measured using linear sweep voltammetry. We show and discuss here for the first time that, while the presence of carbon is necessary for the synergy phenomenon, the nitrogen atoms present in the compounds play no apparent role in this synergy. In fact, all the compounds containing Mo, namely Mo2N, MoB and metallic Mo-0, exhibited extensive synergy with Au for the HER. A hypothesis for the enhanced catalysis of H-2 evolution by the mixed metal composites is proposed and discussed.
- Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.
- This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.
