MoP nanoparticles encapsulated in P-doped carbon as an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Numerous efforts have been made to search for high-efficiency and noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this work, molybdenum phosphide (MoP) nanoparticles encapsulated in P-doped carbon (MoP@PC) was synthesized through a facile one-step pyrolysis of the precursor, namely 3D cross-linked network structure of MoOx contained in polyaniline and phytic acid (MoOx@PANI-PA). The obtained MoP@PCelectrocatalyst retained the 3D structure and exhibits outstanding HER abilities with ultra-low overpotential (η10 = 69 mV), small Tafel slope (55 mV dec−1) and high stability in acid solution. This work offers a facile method to prepare cost-effective transition metal phosphide catalysts. [Display omitted] •MoP nanoparticles encapsulated in P-doped carbon (MoP@PC) have been synthesized.•MoP@PC was derived from the network structure hydrogel polyaniline through a one-step pyrolysis method.•MoP@PC exhibits a low HER overpotential (η10 = 69 mV) and small Tafel slope (55 mV dec−1) in acid solution.