Template-assisted preparation of imbricate N-MoC nanotubes for the effective electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction

Molybdenum carbide (Mo 2 C) has become a promising candidate for electrocatalytic hydrogen production from water splitting due to its low price and platinum-like electrocatalytic properties. In this work, Mo 2 C nanotubes (Mo 2 C NTs) with ultrathin imbricate structure were successfully synthesized by carburizing polydopamine organic layer covered molybdenum trioxide (MoO 3 ) nanowire templates at elevated temperature through organic-inorganic hybridization. The inner diameter and wall thickness of the as-synthesized Mo 2 C NTs are about 150 nm and 100 nm, respectively. Two-dimensional Mo 2 C nanoflakes with a thickness of about 10 nm were composed of nanoclusters with a size of 2 nm. Furthermore, N-Mo x C was facilely prepared by nitrogen doping into the prepared Mo 2 C by chemical vapor deposition and the enhanced electrocatalytic activity was obtained with an overpotential of 120 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm −2 . An enlarged specific surface area of 189 m 2 g −1 was achieved for N-Mo x C, which provides more electrocatalytic active sites for water reduction. More importantly, the interface optimization of Mo 2 C and MoC was expected to modify the electronic structure and accelerate the electron transfer for improved water splitting performance. Imbricate N-Mo x C nanotubes with enlarged specific surface area achieve an excellent electrocatalytic performance for the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction.