Efficient and stable hybrid electrocatalyst of mixed MnP-MoP nanoparticles‒N,P-codoped graphene for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts with high activity and stability play a critical role in enhancing performance of electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we have successfully fabricated an effeicient and stable hybrid electrocatalyst containing well-dispersion of mixed MnP-MoP nanoparticles on N,P-codoped graphene nanosheets (denotes as MnP-MoP NPs/N,P-Gr) through facile and effective approach. The obtained MnP-MoP NPs/N,P-Gr hybrid showed high catalytic activity for HER in 1.0 M KOH solution, together with low overpotential of 74.2 mV and 154.9 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm and 50 mA cm−2, respectively. Besides, the rapid kinetics of the HER reaction have been demonstrated by a corresponding small Tafel slope value of 57.7 mV dec−1. The high HER performance of the MnP-MoP NPs/N,P-Gr hybrid could be inherited from the merits of graphene, N,P-codoped effect, and the synergistic effect between MnP-MoP NPs and N,P-codoped graphene substrate. Notably, the MnP-MoP NPs/N,P-Gr hybrid exhibited superior stability toward HER, with retaining its electrocatalytic performance after 26 h stability test.