Synergistic Effect of Nitrogen/Phosphorus Co‐Doping and Molybdenum Carbide Induced Electron Redistribution of Carbon Layer to Boost Hydrogen Evolution Reaction†

Abstract

Comprehensive SummaryThe development of highly efficient non‐precious‐metal‐based electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction is imperative for promoting the large‐scale application of electrochemical water splitting. Herein, nitrogen/phosphorus co‐doped carbon nanorods encapsulated Mo2C nanoparticles (Mo2C@PNC) have been prepared by pre‐phosphating treatment in combination of the coordination with polydopamine and the subsequent pyrolysis. The phosphating temperature has a significant effect on the content of phosphorus within the resultant Mo2C@PNC, and the optimal catalyst delivers superior HER activity with the low overpotential of 104 mV at a current density of 10 mA·cm–2 and good stability for 8 h, which has been theoretically demonstrated to originate from the synergistic effect between P doping and Mo2C induced electron redistribution of nitrogen‐doped carbon layer.