Facile synthesis of nanostructured molybdenum carbide/nitrogen-doped CNT-RGO composite via a modified urea glass route for efficient hydrogen evolution

Homogeneously dispersed Mo2C nanoparticles onto nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube - reduced graphene oxide support (Mo2C/CNT-RGO) were prepared by a modified urea glass route. Simply heating an ethanol slurry of MoCl5, urea, CNT, and graphene oxide at 750 °C under nitrogen atmosphere uniformly distributed 8 nm Mo2C nanoparticles in the nitrogen-doped CNT-RGO support. The resultant Mo2C/CNT-RGO exhibited markedly improved electrochemical performance for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) compared to similarly prepared Mo2C/CNT, Mo2C/RGO, and bare Mo2C. Enhanced Mo2C/CNT-RGO performance could originate from the synergy between Mo2C nanoparticles with high HER activity and N-doped CNT-RGO support providing large surface area and high electrical conductivity. [Display omitted] •A simple synthesis of nanostructured Mo2C/CNT-RGO composite is proposed.•Carbide formation, GO reduction, and N-doping are simultaneously achieved.•Mo2C/CNT-RGO is used as a catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).•Mo2C/CNT-RGO shows high activity and stability for HER under alkaline media.•Unique CNT-RGO heterostructure helps to enhance the HER activity.