Facile synthesis of noble-metal-free MoP as an efficient catalyst for H2 evolution from formaldehyde solution

Abstract

A series of MoP were synthesized by a facile solid reaction and used as catalysts for H2 evolution from alkaline HCHO solution. It was found that the as-prepared MoP catalysts exhibited high H2 evolution activity and stability. The calcination temperature had a great influence on the structure, morphology and H2 evolution activity of MoP. When the calcination temperature was 400 °C, the MoP-400 exhibited the highest H2 evolution activity. The concentration of HCHO and reaction temperature in the reaction system also affected the H2 evolution efficiency. The H2 evolution performance of MoP was better than or comparable to those of the reported noble metal catalysts. The possible mechanism of H2 evolution from HCHO was discussed.