N-doped Carbon Sheets Research Articles

3D MOF Derived Porous Nanorods like Cation Defect-Rich Ni0.6Fe2.4O4@NC Efficient Electrocatalyst Enables Robust Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries

Electrochemical energy storage devices with consistent performance, high power output, and energy density are urgently required to meet global energy demand. Zinc-air batteries are quickly gaining popularity as potential energy sources for green energy storage technologies. The air electrodes, combined with some oxygen electrocatalysts, have a significant impact on the cost and performance of Zn-air batteries. However, designing and fabricating efficient electrocatalysts remains a challenge. Because of their unique structural flexibility and uniformly dispersed active sites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as appealing precursors for the synthesis of a wide range of advanced functional materials. Our research suggests using flexible multi-carboxylic acids and bipyridine ligands to create nanorods like NiFe@MOFs with multiple coordination modes and fascinating architectures. MOF precursors were post-annealed in argon at 750 °C, yielding a cation deficient Ni0.6Fe2.4O4@NC electrocatalyst. This 3D electrocatalyst effectively reduces oxygen (E1/2 = 0.85 V) and evolves oxygen (η10 = 207 mV@10 mA cm-2). Furthermore, a rechargeable zinc-air battery with Ni0.6Fe2.4O4@NC as the cathode demonstrated a high open circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.5 V, a peak power density of 194.6 mW cm-2, and exceptional long-term cycling stability over 300 h (1800 cycles, 10 mA cm-2). The flexible solid-state zinc-air battery demonstrated power density of 68.5 mW cm-2 and long-term durability over 35 h at 5 mA cm-2. The proposed strategy allows for the rational design of cation defect-rich spinel structures attached to ultra-thin, N-doped graphitic carbon sheets in order to enhance active site availability and mass electron transport. Figure 1

Engineering Three-Dimensional Interconnected Pores with Plentiful Edge Sites via a Confined Space for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction.

N-Doped carbon sheets based on edge engineering provide more opportunities for improving oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) active sites. However, with regard to the correlation between porous structural configurations and performances, it remains underexplored. Herein, a silica-assisted localized etching method was employed to create two-dimensional mesoporous carbon materials with customizable pore structures, abundant edge sites, and nitrogen functionalities. The mesoporous carbon exhibited superior electrocatalytic performance for the ORR compared to that of a 20 wt % Pt/C catalyst, achieving a half-wave potential of 0.88 V versus RHE, situating them in the leading level of the reported carbon electrocatalysts. Experimental data suggest that the edge graphitic nitrogen sites played a crucial role in the ORR process. The three-dimensional interconnected pores provided a high density of active sites for the ORR and facilitated the efficient transport of electrons. These unique properties make the carbon sheets a promising candidate for highly efficient air cathodes in rechargeable Zn-air batteries.

Construction of Bi/Bi2O3 particles embedded in carbon sheets for boosting the storage capacity of potassium-ion batteries

Bismuth-based materials have attracted interest in potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). However, the large volume expansion prevents further use of bismuth-based materials for potassium storage. This work employs a two-step synthesis method to innovatively synthesize of Bi/Bi2O3 nanoparticles assembled on N-doped porous carbon sheets (Bi/Bi2O3@CN). The layered structures with uniformly shaped and N-doped porous carbon skeleton buffer the expansion of Bi and the Bi/Bi2O3 particles increase the capacity of potassium storage. In brief, the Bi/Bi2O3@CN served as anode in half-cell of PIBs have a good rate capacity of more than 234.7 mAh/g at 20 A/g. The specific capacity retention was 73 % compared with 322.16 mAh/g at 1 A/g, demonstrating good holding capacity for diverse current densities. The cycle also displays 163 mAh/g after 1500 cycles at 2 A/g in the KPF6 metal salt solution, showing its potential as one of the anode materials in PIBs.

Pioneering electrochemical detection unveils erdafitinib: a breakthrough in anticancer agent determination

The successful fabrication is reported of highly crystalline Co nanoparticles interconnected with zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-12) -based amorphous porous carbon using the molten-salt-assisted approach utilizing NaCl. Single crystal diffractometers (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirm the codoped amorphous carbon structure. Crystallite size was calculated by Scherrer (34 nm) and Williamson-Hall models (42 nm). The magnetic properties of NPCS (N-doped porous carbon sheet) were studied using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The NPCS has a magnetic saturation (Ms) value of 1.85 emu/g. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses show that Co/Co3O4 nanoparticles are homogeneously distributed in the carbon matrix. While a low melting point eutectic salt acts as an ionic liquid solvent, ZIF-12, at high temperature, leading cobalt nanoparticles with a trace amount of Co3O4 interconnected by conductive amorphous carbon. In addition, the surface area (89.04 m2/g) and pore architectures of amorphous carbon embedded with Co nanoparticles are created using the molten salt approach. Thanks to this inexpensive and effective method, the optimal composite porous carbon structures were obtained with the strategy using NaCl salt and showed distinct electrochemical performance on electrochemical methodology revealing the analytical profile of Erdatifinib (ERD) as a sensor modifier. The linear response spanned from 0.01 to 7.38 μM, featuring a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.36 nM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 11.2 nM. The developed sensor was examined in terms of selectivity, repeatability, and reproducibility. The fabricated electrode was utilized for the quantification of Erdafitinib in urine samples and pharmaceutical dosage forms. This research provides a fresh outlook on the advancements in electrochemical sensor technology concerning the development and detection of anticancer drugs within the realms of medicine and pharmacology.Graphical

3D Hierarchical MOF-Derived Defect-Rich NiFe Spinel Ferrite as a Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Redox Reactions in Zinc-Air Batteries.

The strategy of defect engineering is increasingly recognized for its pivotal role in modulating the electronic structure, thereby significantly improving the electrocatalytic performance of materials. In this study, we present defect-enriched nickel and iron oxides as highly active and cost-effective electrocatalysts, denoted as Ni0.6Fe2.4O4@NC, derived from NiFe-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER). XANES and EXAFS confirm that the crystals have a distorted structure and metal vacancies. The cation defect-rich Ni0.6Fe2.4O4@NC electrocatalyst exhibits exceptional ORR and OER activities (ΔE = 0.68 V). Mechanistic pathways of electrochemical reactions are studied by DFT calculations. Furthermore, a rechargeable zinc-air battery (RZAB) using the Ni0.6Fe2.4O4@NC catalyst demonstrates a peak power density of 187 mW cm-2 and remarkable long-term cycling stability. The flexible solid-state ZAB using the Ni0.6Fe2.4O4@NC catalyst exhibits a power density of 66 mW cm-2. The proposed structural design strategy allows for the rational design of electronic delocalization of cation defect-rich NiFe spinel ferrite attached to ultrathin N-doped graphitic carbon sheets in order to enhance active site availability and facilitate mass and electron transport.

Facile Synthesis of Crystalline Molybdenum Carbide (Mo2C) Nanoparticles Coupled with a N-Doped Porous Carbon Sheet: A Synergistic Effect on the Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Facile Synthesis of Crystalline Molybdenum Carbide (Mo₂C) Nanoparticles Coupled with a N-Doped Porous Carbon Sheet: A Synergistic Effect on the Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Sandwich structure of negative electrode using N-doped cellulose based carbon aerogel/graphene composite in ultra-battery

This study introduced a new ultra-battery (UB) structure by replacing N-doped monolithic carbon sheets instead of lead grids as a current collector. The carbon structure creates a sandwich construction (C|Pb|C), which serves as an alternative to lead grids and enhances the electrochemical properties of the battery. By removing lead grids, the weight of negative electrodes was reduced, and the specific capacity based on the total weight of the electrode (NAM + lead grids) increased by 1.3 times in deep discharge conditions. Additionally, the cycle life of the UB increased up to 2.35 times in HRPSoC mode. These improvements are due to the 3D and continuous conductive network path and higher charge acceptance of N-doped carbon sheets. These features facilitate the reversibility reaction of lead sulfate to lead by reducing the growth rate and size of created sulfate crystals. FESEM and X-ray analysis verified these phenomena. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) has shown that optimizing N-doping processes can control hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in UBs. Furthermore, the UB's performance was improved and verified through charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests.

Corncob-Derived Two-Dimensional N-Doped Carbon Sheets as the Ultrabroadband Microwave-Absorbing Material

Corncob-Derived Two-Dimensional N-Doped Carbon Sheets as the Ultrabroadband Microwave-Absorbing Material

N-doped carbon sheets supported P-Fe3O4-MoO2 for freshwater and seawater electrolysis

Electric-driven freshwater/seawater splitting is an attractive and sustainable route to realize the generation of H2 and O2. Molybdenum-based oxides exhibit poor activity toward freshwater/seawater electrolysis. Herein, we adjusted the electronic structure of MoO2 by constructing N-doped carbon sheets supported P-Fe3O4-MoO2 nanosheets (P-Fe3O4-MoO2/NC). P-Fe3O4-MoO2/N-doped carbon sheets were precisely prepared by pyrolysis of Schiff base Fe complex and MoO3 nanosheets through phosphorization. Benefiting from the unique structures of the samples, it required 119/145 mV to drive freshwater/seawater reduction reaction at 10 mA/cm2. P-Fe3O4-MoO2/NC catalysts exhibited superior freshwater/seawater oxidation reactivity with 180/189 mV at 10 mA/cm2 compared with commercial RuO2. The low cell voltages for P-Fe3O4-MoO2/NC were 1.47 and 1.59 V towards freshwater and seawater electrolysis, respectively. Our work might shed light on the structural modulation of Mo-based oxides for enhancing freshwater and seawater electrolysis activity.

Monomicelle-Directed Engineering of Strained Carbon Nanoribbons as Oxygen Reduction Catalyst.

To date, precisely tailoring local active sites of well-defined earth-abundant metal-free carbon-based electrocatalysts for attractive electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), remains challenging. Herein, the authorssuccessfully introduce a strain effect on active C-C bonds adjacent to edged graphitic nitrogen (N), which raises appropriate spin-polarization and charge density of carbon active sites and kinetically favor the facilitation of O2 adsorption and the activation of O-containing intermediates. Thus, the constructed metal-free carbon nanoribbons (CNRs-C) with high-curved edges exhibit outstanding ORR activity with half-wave potentials of 0.78 and 0.9V in 0.5m H2 SO4 and 0.1m KOH, respectively, overwhelming the planar one (0.52 and 0.81V) and the N-doped carbon sheet (0.41 and 0.71V). Especially in acidic media, the kinetic current density (Jk ) is 18 times higher than that of the planar one and the N-doped carbon sheet. Notably, thesefindings show the spin polarization of the asymmetric structure by introducing a strain effect on the C-C bonds for boosting ORR.

Fe3C-Decorated Folic Acid-Derived Graphene-like Carbon-Modified Separator as a Polysulfide Barrier for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

The lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery has been regarded as an important candidate for the next-generation energy storage system due to its high theoretical capacity (1675 mAh g−1) and high energy density (2600 Wh kg−1). However, the shuttle effect of polysulfide seriously affects the cycling stability of the Li-S battery. Here, a novel Fe3C-decorated folic acid-derived graphene-like N-doped carbon sheet (Fe3C@N-CS) was successfully prepared as the polysulfide catalyst to modify the separator of Li-S batteries. The porous layered structures can successfully capture polysulfide as a physical barrier and the encapsulated Fe3C catalyst can effectively trap and catalyze the conversion of polysulfide, thus accelerating the redox reaction kinetics. Together with the highly conductive networks, a cell with the Fe3C@N-CS-modified separator evinces superior cycling stability with 0.06% capacity decay per cycle at 1 C rate over 500 cycles and excellent specific capacity with an initial capacity of 1260 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C. Furthermore, at a high sulfur loading of 4.0 mg cm−2, the batteries also express superb cycle stability and rate performance.

Hierarchically nitrogen-doped carbon hollow microspheres assembled with loose and porous magnetic carbon sheets for enhanced microwave absorption

Combining hollow materials with magnetic particles to construct hierarchical structures favors enhancement of microwave absorption properties. However, the fabrication of the well-defined materials possessing both hollow and hierarchical features still faces a huge challenge. Herein, a facile two-step method is developed to synthesize hierarchically nitrogen-doped carbon hollow microspheres assembled with loose and porous magnetic carbon sheets. Especially, many magnetic Fe/Fe3C NPs covered with N-doped graphitic layers are embedded in the mesoporous N-doped carbon sheets layers. Benefited from the special structure, the optimal nitrogen-doped carbon hollow microspheres exhibit an excellent microwave absorption property with an EAB of ∼4.00 GHz at a thickness of 2.5 mm and the minimal reflection loss of −39.87 dB at a frequency of 7.76 GHz, while the filler ratio is only 10 wt% in the paraffin wax. Electromagnetic parameters analysis reveals that unique hierarchical structure and rich heterogeneous interfaces result in the enhancement of dielectric and magnetic losses as well as optimized the impedance matching. The computer simulation technology (CST) simulation further verifies the practical applicability of the optimal nitrogen-doped carbon hollow microspheres. This work provides an effective way for the efficient synthesis of hierarchical and hollow materials for microwave absorption.

Bimetal-MOF and bacterial cellulose-derived three-dimensional N-doped carbon sheets loaded Co/CoFe nanoparticles wrapped graphite carbon supported on porous carbon nanofibers: An efficient multifunctional electrocatalyst for Zn-air batteries and overall water splitting

In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) multifunctional Co/CoFeNC@N-CNF electrocatalyst was first synthesized by the pyrolysis of a CoFe bimetal-centred metal-organic framework (MOF) and bacterial cellulose (BC). The initial potential and half-wave potential of Co/CoFeNC@N-CNF can reach 0.99 V and 0.8 V. Low overpotentials of 320 mV and 155 mV are purely required for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, respectively. The electrochemical performance of Co/CoFeNC@N-CNF exceeds most bimetal-MOF-derived electrocatalysts reported to date. The superior electrochemical performance is mainly due to abundant active sites, high-efficiency electrochemical performance, and high electron transport efficiency. In addition, the theoretical calculation results show that the synergistic effect of the CoFe bimetal can optimize the adsorption energy for intermediates of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), OER and HER. Furthermore, we assembled a mold and solid Zn-air battery using the catalyst as an air cathode catalyst, demonstrating the maximum power densities of 292 mW cm−2 and 178 mW cm−2. The 3D structure electrocatalysts derived from the MOF and bacterial cellulose provide an innovative and instructive approach for the design of diverse energy nanomaterials.

Fabrication of Ru/WO3-W2N/N-doped carbon sheets for hydrogen evolution reaction

Recent experimental analysis indicates WO3-based nanostructures exhibit poor hydrogen evolution reactivity, particularly in alkaline medium, arising from the low electron transfer rate. It is imperative to tune the composition and structure of WO3 to boost the cleavage of H-OH bond. Here, we construct Ru/WO3-W2N/N-doped carbon sheets (Ru/WO3-W2N/NC) using m-WO3 nanosheets as precursors with the aid of RuCl3, Tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane, and dopamine. Structural investigation reveals the formation of N-doped carbon sheets, Ru nanoparticles, and WO3-W2N. As a result, hydrogen evolution reactivity is greatly improved on Ru/WO3-W2N/N-doped carbon sheets with 64 mV at 10 mA/cm2 in 1 mol/L (M) KOH, outperforming most of WO3-based electrocatalysts in previous literatures. Meanwhile, it facilitates the generation of H2 in 0.5 M H2SO4 with the excellent activity of 110 mV at 10 mA/cm2. Our work provides an efficient strategy to tailor the electronic structure of WO3 to catalyze acidic and alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction.

One-Step Construction of Co2P Nanoparticles Encapsulated into N-Doped Porous Carbon Sheets for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction

It is critical and challenging to develop high performance transition metal phosphides (TMPs) electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) to address fossil energy shortages. Herein, we report the synthesis of Co2P embedded in N-doped porous carbon (Co2P@N-C) via a facile one-step strategy. The obtained catalyst exhibits a lower overpotential of 352 mV for OER at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and a small Tafel slope of 84.6 mV dec−1, with long-time reliable stability. The excellent electrocatalytic performance of Co2P@N-C can be mainly owed to the synergistic effect between the Co2P and highly conductive N-C substrate, which not only affords rich exposed active sites but also promotes faster charge transfer, thus significantly promoting OER process. This work presents a promising and industrially applicable synthetic strategy for the rational design of high performance nonnoble metal electrocatalysts with enhanced OER performance.

Ru decorated Co nanoparticles supported by N-doped carbon sheet implements Pt-like hydrogen evolution performance in wide pH range

Development of high-performance pH-universal electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a vital step towards hydrogen economy but remains a major challenge. Herein, the Ru decorated Co nanoparticles supported by N-doped carbon sheets (Ru/Co@NC) are prepared by galvanic exchange reaction and display a remarkable performance for HER. In the 1.0 M KOH, 0.01 M PBS and 0.5 M H2SO4, respectively, Ru/Co@NC shows low overpotentials of 10, 283 and 50 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm−2, comparable to benchmark Pt/C (23, 289 and 37 mV). Furthermore, deep experimental researches and DFT calculations indicate that the Ru-Co heterostructure shows more suitable energy of H2O* dissociation and H* adsorption compared to Ru and Co, which can significantly improve the HER activity. Besides excellent activity, in a wide pH range, the Ru/Co@NC also exhibits good stability with negligible current loss after a long-time HER test (30 h). This work may provide ponderable strategies for developing an efficient pH-universal HER electrocatalyst.

PBA-derived FeCo alloy with core-shell structure embedded in 2D N-doped ultrathin carbon sheets as a bifunctional catalyst for rechargeable Zn-air batteries

To overcome slow kinetics of oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER), the development of bifunctional electrocatalysts remains a huge challenge. FeCo alloy as an active-species usually suffers from its poor catalytic stability by easy corrosion. Here, we synthesize a core (FeCo)-shell (carbon) alloy anchored on nitrogen-doped porous carbon-nanosheets (FeCo/NUCSs) via a self-growth strategy. FeCo/NUCSs (140 m2 g−1) exhibits promising half-wave potential (E1/2 =0.89 V) and methanol tolerance for ORR. Prussian blue analog-derived carbon shell protects binary active-sites (Fe-Nx/Co-Nx) on FeCo core to stabilize ORR activity. FeCo/NUCSs also displays a higher OER activity (overpotential of 300 mV) than RuO2, due to generation of highly-active FeOOH/CoOOH species on FeCo alloys as indicated by in situ X-ray diffraction. Assembled Zn-air battery (ZAB) exhibits promising open-circuit voltage of 1.51 V, specific capacity of 791.86 mA h g−1, and durability (102 h). This novel bimetallic alloy-based catalyst provides an interesting option for design of durable oxygen-electrocatalysts for ZAB.

Renewable wood-derived hierarchical porous, N-doped carbon sheet as a robust self-supporting cathodic electrode for zinc-air batteries

Heteroatom doped porous carbon materials have emerged as essential cathode material for metal-air battery systems in the context of soaring demands for clean energy conversion and storage. Herein, a three-dimensional nitrogen-doped carbon self-supported electrode (TNCSE) is fabricated through thermal treatment and acid activation of raw wood. The resulting TNCSE retains the hierarchical porous architecture of parent raw lumber and holds substantial defect sites and doped N sites in the carbon skeleton. Assembled as a cathode in the rechargeable zinc-air battery, the TNCSE exhibits a superior peak power density of 134.02 mW/cm2 and an energy density of 835.92 mAh/g, significantly exceeding the ones reference commercial 20% Pt/C does. More strikingly, a limited performance decay of 1.47% after an ultra long-period (500 h) cycle is also achieved on the TNCSE. This work could offer a green and cost-save approach for rationally converting biomass into a robust self-supporting cathode material for a rechargeable zinc-air battery.

Morphological modulation of iron carbide embedded nitrogen-doped hierarchically porous carbon by manganese doping as highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting

In the development of water splitting, the sluggish electrocatalytic kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have restricted their energy conversion efficiencies. Along with the continuous rise in the prices of noble metals and transition metals (such as cobalt and nickel), constructing high-efficiency HER/OER catalysts based on low cost transition metals, such as iron and manganese, is becoming more meaningful in developing industrialized water splitting devices. In this paper, in the absence of a template or active agent, three-dimensional, hierarchically porous FexMny nanoparticles (NPs) were embedded and nitrogen-doped carbon materials (denoted as FexMny@NC; x:y, representing the molar ratio of Fe:Mn) were successfully prepared via pyrolysis of corresponding precursors containing different metallic salt components. Various morphological, structural, and chemical characterization analysis demonstrate that at an Fe:Mn molar ratio of 3:1, the optimal Fe3Mn1@NC material shows high graphitization degree, rich mesoporous structures, a large surface area, and abundant carbon defects/edges, which promote the uniform dispersion of pyridinic-N (pyridinic-N-metal), graphitic-N, carbon oxygen bonds (CO), manganese oxide (MnO) nanocrystals, and Fe3C NPs-embedded, N-doped carbon sheet (Fe3C@NC) active sites. In alkaline conditions, the HER onset potentials (Eonset) and potentials recorded at 10 mA cm−2 (E10) of the optimal Fe3Mn1@NC are just 84.8 and 156 mV more negative than those of 20 wt% platinum carbon (Pt/C). Meanwhile, the OER Eonset and E10 values of the optimal Fe3Mn1@NC are just 8 and 18.7 mV more positive than those of RuO2. Furthermore, optimized Fe3Mn1@NC catalysts were assembled into a water splitting cell, where the catalytic current density achieves 10 mA cm−2 at a low voltage of 1.6287 V (with superior catalytic stability), which is just 24.9 mV higher than that of the (-) 20 wt% Pt/C||RuO2 (+) benchmark (1.6038 V) under the same conditions. This work describes the regulating efficiency of Mn toward growing mesopores and opens new possibilities for the development of novel carbonaceous catalysts with excellent hydroxide catalytic efficiencies based on low cost Mn/Fe elements.

Bifunctional water splitting enhancement by manipulating Mo-H bonding energy of transition Metal-Mo2C heterostructure catalysts

• Ni, Co, Fe-Mo 2 C-coupled in N-doped carbon sheets (TM/Mo 2 C-NCSs) were synthesized. • TM/Mo 2 C-NCSs show boosted bifunctional HER and OER activities and durability. • Optimization of Mo-H Bonding Energy accelerates the desorption of H 2 . • The ternary channels achieve overall fast charge transfer and stable structure. • The vertical growth of TM/Mo 2 C-NCSs on Ni foam aids more active sites exposure. Molybdenum carbide (Mo 2 C) exhibits unique competitive advantages in electrochemical water splitting due to its physicochemical properties. The high intrinsic activity is essential for the high-efficient Mo 2 C catalysts. Herein, transition metal (Ni, Co, or Fe)-Mo 2 C-embedded in N-doped carbon sheets grown on Ni foam (TM/Mo 2 C-NCSs) are synthesized to enhance the intrinsic activity of Mo 2 C by optimizing the Mo-H bonding energy through the interfacial interactions between Ni, Co, or Fe, and Mo 2 C. Owing to the superior intrinsic activity, fast ternary channels, and abundant active sites, the Ni/Mo 2 C-NCSs possess the lowest overpotential for HER (131 mV) and the Fe/Mo 2 C-NCSs show the lowest overpotential for OER (293 mV) at a current density of 100 mA cm −2 in 1 M KOH. The results analyzed with the Density function theory (DFT) calculation indicate that the most superior H adsorption site is at the interface between Mo 2 C and Ni hybrid. H was adsorbed on interface Mo&Ni@Ni/Mo 2 C with proper hydrogen adsorption free energies (ΔG H* ), achieving a fast desorption process in HER. This mechanism is absent in the pristine Mo 2 C catalysts. An alkaline electrolyzer with a cathode of Ni/Mo 2 C-NCSs and anode of Fe/Mo 2 C-NCSs demonstrates a small voltage of 1.66 V at a current density of 100 mA cm −2 . This work offers an elaborated strategy of interface engineering to enhance the intrinsic catalytic activity of Mo 2 C by accelerating H 2 desorption in HER and enhancing the catalytic kinetics of OER simultaneously.