Mo₂C-Based Electrocatalyst with Biomass-Derived Sulfur and Nitrogen Co-Doped Carbon as a Matrix for Hydrogen Evolution and Organic Pollutant Removal

Abstract

A Mo2C based electrocatalyst (Mo2C@SNC) was successfully synthesized with sulfur and nitrogen codoped carbon (SNC) as the matrix, which was derived from the shells of sunflower seeds. In the Mo2C/SNC, Mo2C particles that range in size from approximately 5 to 8 nm are evenly distributed in the sulfur and nitrogen codoped carbon matrix. Moreover, Mo2C/SNC has a large specific surface area with a mesoporous character. These particular structural features result in Mo2C@SNC having good electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HERs). To obtain 10 mA·cm–2 current in 1 M KOH, Mo2C@SNC only needs an overpotential as low as 60 mV. Mo2C@SNC also has outstanding durability and remains stable for over 2000 cycles. During a HER process, its hydrogen evolution rate reaches 90.2 μmol·h–1, with faradaic efficiency reaching almost 100%. Under acidic conditions, the advantages of Mo2C@SNC are obvious. In addition to electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution, Mo2C@SNC exhibits striking catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol. The conversion efficiency reaches almost 100% in 6 min with only a small amount of Mo2C@SNC used for the catalyst. In addition to 4-nitrophenol, Mo2C@SNC also affects methylene blue (MB), a common organic dye. We expect that Mo2C@SNC will become a new resource for H2 energy and will be a prospective material for water purification.

Molybdenum‐Based Carbon Hybrid Materials to Enhance the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

“…Chen et al [110] prepared MoSoy (Mo 2 C-Mo 2 Nh ybrid) from soybeans and ammonium molybdate ((NH 4 ) 6 Mo 7 O 24 ·4 H 2 O) via the solid state reaction ( Figure 12). [112] prepared Mo 2 Cb ased on sulphur and nitrogen co-doped carbon (SNC) derived from the shellso fs unflowers eeds. Furthermore, the MoSoyc omposites were supported on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets for further enhancement of electrocatalytic activityf or HER.…”

“…Due to the favourable cost of the biomass precursor and facile preparation method, the newly developed methodi si nexpensive, easy to scale up and environmentally friendly.A ne tal. [112] prepared Mo 2 Cb ased on sulphur and nitrogen co-doped carbon (SNC) derived from the shellso fs unflowers eeds. Cui et al [113] reported the synthesis of Mo 2 Cn anoparticles embedded in graphitic carbon sheets (Mo 2 C/GCSs) via ab iopolymer-induced solid-state reaction between (NH 4 ) 6 Mo 7 O 24 ·4 H 2 Oa nd sodium alginate( ALG).…”

“…Due to the favourable cost of the biomass precursor and facile preparation method, the newly developed method is inexpensive, easy to scale up and environmentally friendly. An et al . prepared Mo 2 C based on sulphur and nitrogen co‐doped carbon (SNC) derived from the shells of sunflower seeds.…”

Transition Metal Carbide Complex Architectures for Energy‐Related Applications

“…This method was utilized for the scalable fabrication of various TMC nano‐particle electrodes for electrochemical energy storage and conversion applications such as MIBs, SCs, RMABs, fuel cells and water splitting . Interestingly, among these rich carbon sources, biomasses (e.g., leaves, sodium alginate, glucose, fir sawdust, seeds, and legumes) were widely used as environmentally friendly and low cost carbon species to prepare TMCs . For instance, Chen et al .…”

“…[95] Interestingly,a mong these rich carbon sources, biomasses (e.g.,l eaves,s odium alginate, glucose, fir sawdust, seeds, and legumes) were widely used as environmentally friendly and low cost carbon species to prepare TMCs. [58,59,[96][97][98][99][100] For instance, Chen et al [59] reported the synthesis of molybdenumc arbide( MoSoy) nanoparticles by the solidstate reactiona th igh temperature. In this work, the authors used the biomass of the humble soybean, and earth-abundant metal of molybdenum (ammonium molybdate)t op reparem olybdenum carbide (Figure1a,b).…”