Self-supported Mo0.2Co0.8P nanowire arrays on carbon cloth as a high-performance and durable hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalyst in wide-range pH

Abstract

We successfully prepared a Mo 0.2 Co 0.8 P nanowires growing vertically on carbon cloth through hydrothermal and phosphorization processes. This work provides a feasible way for the preparation of non-precious metal electrocatalysts. • Mo 0.2 Co 0.8 P/CC nanowire arrays was prepared via hydrothermal and low-temperature phosphorization methods. • Mo 0.2 Co 0.8 P/CC possesses outstanding HER activity and strong stability in both 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 and 1 M KOH. • The introduction of Mo atoms lead defects and distortions on the material surface. • The strong synergistic effect between Co and Mo atoms. Exploring an efficient non-noble metal catalyst for hydrogen production by electrolysis of water is one of the effective ways to solve energy shortage and environmental problems. Herein, we report a Mo 0.2 Co 0.8 P nanowires based on carbon cloth (Mo 0.2 Co 0.8 P NWAs/CC) as an efficient HER catalyst in wide-range pH, via facile hydrothermal and phosphorization methods. This Mo 0.2 Co 0.8 P NWAs/CC exhibits the outstanding electrocatalytic performance with low overpotentials of 60 and 66 mV at 10 mA cm −2 and small Tafel slopes of 69.5 and 78.3 mV dec −1 in acidic and alkaline solution, respectively. Moreover, the long-term stability of Mo 0.2 Co 0.8 P NWAs/CC also presents excellent for 50 h at η 10 . The superior electrochemical properties of Mo 0.2 Co 0.8 P NWAs/CC material are attributed to its smaller nanoscale, lattice defects and distortions, and strong synergistic effect between Co and Mo atoms. This work provides an effective electrocatalyst for the water electrolysis process.