Surface‐Electron Coupling for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Maximizing the activity of materials towards the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction while maintaining their structural stability under realistic working conditions remains an area of active research. Herein, we report the first controllable surface modification of graphene(G)/V8C7 heterostructures by nitrogen. Because the introduced N atoms couple electronically with V atoms, the V sites can reduce the energy barrier for water adsorption and dissociation. Investigation of the multi‐regional synergistic catalysis on N‐modified G/V8C7 by experimental observations and density‐functional‐theory calculations reveals that the increase of electron density on the epitaxial graphene enable it to become favorable for H* adsorption and the subsequent reaction with another H2O molecule. This work extends the range of surface‐engineering approaches to optimize the intrinsic properties of materials and could be generalized to the surface modification of other transition‐metal carbides.

Engineering nanointerface of molybdenum-based heterostructures to boost the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction

“…Consequently, an electron-rich NC and a hole-rich CoP/Mo 2 C cluster in heterostructure were observed (Fig. 4d), which also coincides with the above XPS and previous reported results [59]. Considering HER is generally described as a gain electron reaction, (acidic: 2H + + 2e À ?…”

Non‐Metal Single‐Phosphorus‐Atom Catalysis of Hydrogen Evolution

“…The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of Mo 2 C‐CS reveals that all diffraction peaks are consistent with the hexagonal Mo 2 C ( P 63/ mmc , JCPDS 011‐0680) without detectable impurities (Figure S2). The low‐temperature pressurized gas‐assisted treatment that we developed [12] with PH 3 atmosphere at 0.18 MPa has not changed the nanosheet‐like morphology of the Mo 2 C‐CS, but it could result in surface atomic deposition to form SAP‐Mo 2 C‐CS via the decomposition of PH 3 on Mo 2 C surface (Figure 1 a). We use the high‐angle annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF‐STEM) image to show the good crystallinity and single‐phase structure of the SAP‐Mo 2 C‐CS after PH 3 treatment.…”

“…firstly reported a single atom nickel iodide (SANi‐I) electrocatalyst with atomically dispersed iodine atoms, [11] which exhibits excellent alkaline HER activity. In our previous report, [12] the controllable surface modification of G/V 8 C 7 catalyst by nitrogen atoms accelerates water adsorption and dissociation process. Nevertheless, the origin of HER electrocatalytic activity with the inherent characteristics of non‐metal‐based SACs is still unclear.…”

“…Non-metal-based SACs feature low cost, simple synthesis methods and effective regulation for substrates,and their application in electrocatalysis is of great economic interest and scientific importance.Sofar,there are few studies on this aspect. Qiao et al firstly reported asingle atom nickel iodide (SANi-I) electrocatalyst with atomically dispersed iodine atoms, [11] which exhibits excellent alkaline HER activity.I no ur previous report, [12] the controllable surface modification of G/V 8 C 7 catalyst by nitrogen atoms accelerates water adsorption and dissociation process.Nevertheless,t he origin of HER electrocatalytic activity with the inherent characteristics of non-metal-based SACs is still unclear.…”

Low‐Load Pt Nanoclusters Anchored on Graphene Hollow Spheres for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

“…[ 3–6 ] In the process of water splitting, a suitable catalyst is often needed to promote the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of the cathode. [ 7,8 ] To date, Pt‐based metals are considered to have the highest catalytic activity for the HER in the periodic table, [ 9–11 ] in which Pt/C catalyst is often used as a commercial catalyst for the HER. The high‐performance Pt‐based catalysts for the HER not only comes from the intrinsic activity of Pt, but also depends on the Pt load.…”