Facile Synthesis of MoP and Its Composite Structure with Ru as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Both Acidic and Alkaline Conditions.

Abstract

Developing low-cost electrocatalysts for efficient hydrogen evolution in both acidic and alkaline conditions is crucial for water-electrolytic hydrogen applications. Herein, MoP was synthesized via a simple, low-cost, and green phosphorization route. More importantly, the Ru/MoP composite prepared using the as-synthesized MoP as a reactant, which exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction. It showed lower overpotentials of 108 and 55 mV at 10 mA·cm^-2 in acidic and alkaline solutions, respectively, which are superior to those of bare Ru and pristine MoP as well as comparable or even better than those of previously reported excellent Ru- or MoP-based catalysts. In addition, it also demonstrated small Tafel slopes of 52.6 mV dec^-1 and 67.9 mV dec^-1 in acidic and alkaline solutions, respectively, along with long-term stability. This work provides an effective and feasible route to design high-efficient MoP-based electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction.