Highly active electrocatalyst cobalt-carbide nanoparticles synthesized by wet-chemistry method for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Hydrogen is a promising alternative energy without greenhouse gas emissions. The transition metal carbides (TMCs) are considered a sustainable alternatives to noble metals in catalysis. Among the TMCs, Co[Formula: see text]C ([Formula: see text] = 2, 3) nanoparticles (NPs) act as an excellent electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by water splitting. In our report, Co[Formula: see text]C nanocomposites were synthesized by wet chemistry method using cobalt (II) acetate, sodium hydroxide as precursors and triethylene glycol as solvent. In addition, Co2C NPs were synthesized by similar wet chemistry method using cobalt (II) acetate as precursors and triethylene glycol, oleylamine as solvent. The cobalt carbide NPs exhibited high electrocatalytic activity. Co[Formula: see text]C nanocomposites performed a −0.33 V onset potential and 91 mV/dec Tafel slope, while the Co2C NPs exhibited a better performance of −0.27 V and 60 mV/dec, respectively.