Influence of Vanadium Doping on the Activity of Nanocomposite Electrocatalysts Based on Molybdenum Carbide and Reduced Graphene Oxide in the Process of Hydrogen Evolution from Water

Abstract

It has been found that pyrolysis of hybrid precursors containing polypyrrole, H₄PVMo₁₁O₄₀, and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) contributes to the production of nanocomposites based on V-doped Mo₂C and N,P-doped rGO, which are promising electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). It has been shown that vanadium doping increases the activity of electrocatalysts in HER (both in acidic and alkaline electrolytes) when compared to the analog obtained by unsubstituted H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀. In particular, it is manifested in a significant reduction of hydrogen evolution overpotential, anodic displacement of a process onset potential, and reduction of a Tafel slope dependence.