Study on Nanostructured Molybdenum Carbide for HER

Molybdenum carbide is one of candidates which can replace platinum for the application of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In previous studies, different synthesis methods were used to prepare multi-phases molybdenum carbide particles. However, these processes required high temperature annealing. In this book, the effect of microwave-assisted solvothermal (MWSV) reaction on the phase evolution of molybdenum carbide is studied. MWSV method is a combination of solvothermal reaction and microwave heating. The most advantage is vigorous agitation of molecules and internal heating, which can largely reduce reaction time. Highly crystalline Mo2C is obtained by annealing resultants of MWSV at low temperature. A change in precursor compositions during MWSV has a significant impact on the crystal structure of final products. HER test shows that MWSV grown Mo2C particles have an ability of proton reduction when low electric potential is applied.