Preparation of Mo2@biomass-derived carbon electrocatalysts and performance study of electrocatalytic hydrogen precipitation and degradation of organic pollutants

Abstract

Abstract Water electrolysis is a common method for hydrogen production; a catalyst can lower the required voltage, known as electrocatalytic hydrogen production. Pt is an ideal catalyst due to high activity, but limited supply and cost impede use. Thus, we synthesized a novel composite electrocatalyst Mo2C@NC using versatile N-doped mesoporous carbon from camphor leaves, incorporating 7 to 12 nm Mo2C particles into nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon matrix. This innovative electrocatalyst has unique properties, particularly nitrogen incorporation, making Mo2C@NC highly active in electrocatalytic hydrogen production. Under alkaline conditions, Mo2C@NC needs a low 79 mV overpotential for 10 mA·cm− 2 current density, showing durability after 1000 cycles and remaining stable for 10 hours. Mo2C@NC also efficiently catalyzes the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol, requiring only 5 mg to complete the reaction in under 5 minutes. It also degrades methylene blue, a common organic dye, suggesting potential in large-scale H2 production and water purification.