Mo2C-Ni modified carbon microfibers as an effective electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic solution

Abstract In this work, carbon microfibers modified with Mo 2 C and metallic Ni (Mo 2 C-Ni-CMF0.2) was successfully synthesized by one-step strategy and demonstrated that it is efficient and stable low-cost electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic conditions. The as-obtained Mo 2 C-Ni-CMF0.2 shows excellent HER activity with a low overpotential (131 mV) to reach current density of 10 mA cm −2 , a small Tafel plot (34.1 mV dec −1 ) and remarkable stability. The carbonized cotton fibers has a pore structure and a large specific surface area, which is beneficial for improving electrocatalytic activity. Moreover, cotton fibers also provide a carbon source for the formation of Mo 2 C during carbonization. The catalyst owes better activity to the electrion transmission facilitated by the synergy between Mo 2 C and Ni, and the adsorption of H + based on pore structure.