Nanohybrid of Carbon Quantum Dots/Molybdenum Phosphide Nanoparticle for Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Medium

The exploration of highly efficient non-noble metal electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under alkaline conditions is highly imperative but still remains a great challenge. In this work, the nanohybrid of carbon quantum dots and molybdenum phosphide nanoparticle (CQDs/MoP) has been firstly demonstrated as an efficient alkaline HER electrocatalyst. The CQDs/MoP nanohybrid is readily prepared through a charge-directed self-assembly of CQDs with phosphomolybdic acid (H3PMo12O40) at the molecular level, followed by facile phosphatizing at 700 °C. The introduction of CQDs greatly helps to alleviate the agglomeration and surface oxidation of MoP nanoparticles and ensures each MoP nanoparticle to be electronically addressed, thus significantly enhancing the intrinsic catalytic activity of MoP. The optimized CQDs/MoP exhibits high-efficiency synergistic catalysis toward HER in 1 M KOH electrolyte with a low onset potential of −0.08 V and a small Tafel slope of 56 mV dec–1 as well as high durability with negligible current loss for at least 24 h.