Abstract
AbstractRelatively high surface area nanocrystalline molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) was modified with 5 wt % silver, copper, nickel, platinum, and palladium nanoparticles and subsequently assessed for its hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity in alkaline and acid electrolytes. Density functional theory (DFT)‐calculated hydrogen binding energies predicted that Pt–Mo2C and Pd–Mo2C should be most active, which was confirmed with experimental results. Similar activity trends were observed at both high and low pH values, with Cu–Mo2C being the least active. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that metal particles remained on the sample before and after HER testing. Pt‐modified nanocrystalline Mo2C showed superior HER activity compared with Pt‐modified commercial Mo2C, making it a potential replacement for bulk Pt in alkaline membrane electrolyzers. The positive effect on the HER activity of the metal contact with non‐passivated Mo2C surfaces was also demonstrated.
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