Highly efficient and durable MoNiNC catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

We report a carbothermal ammonia reduction (CAR) strategy for one-pot preparation of highly efficient and durable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst composed of earth abundant early transition metals. In this strategy, resin is applied both as the pre-binder and carbon source, and Pluronic F127 as the structure-directing agent. Upon annealing in NH3, the Mo-containing precursor on Ni foam undergoes the CAR, and simultaneously Ni from the substrate diffuses out, resulting in the formation of a quaternary complex structure of molybdenum-nickel bimetallic carbonitride (MoNiNC). The as-prepared electrode showed outstanding HER performance with an overpotential of 150 mV at 50 mA cm−2 and maintained steady hydrogen bubble evolution for continuous 48 h. Our strategy offers a quick and simple way to fabricate earth-abundant HER electrode with highly efficient and durable electrocatalytic performance.