Metal-polydopamine derived N-doped carbon nanorod wrapping Ni and Mo2C nanoparticles for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract Herein, we have successfully synthesized a N-doped carbon nanorod, which is encapsulated with Ni and Mo2C nanoparticles (Ni/Mo2C/NC). It exhibits low onset-potential of 100 mV vs. RHE, an extremely small overpotential of 180 mV at 10 mA cm−2, a greatly reduced Tafel-slope of 63 mV dec−1 in 1 M KOH solution. The excellent alkaline HER activity of Ni/Mo2C/NC is attributed to the remarkable synergistic effects among Ni, Mo2C and NC. Active sites for water-splitting provided by Ni, the electron transfer from NC to Mo2C and the increased conductivity all make great contributions to enhance HER performance in alkaline pH.