Highly-dispersed Ni, N-doped Mo2C nanoparticles prepared from organic-derived polyoxomolybdates for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Molybdenum carbide is regarded as a noble metal-free and highly efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) owing to its appropriate intermediate binding energy and Pt-like d orbital structure. It's an advanced method doping Ni, Zn, N, P and other atoms to further enhance the electrocatalytic performance of Mo2C, but the content of general doping elements is uncontrollable and cannot be accurately measured. In this work, we employ a unilateral Tris-functionalized Anderson polyoxomolybdate [H3NiMo6O21{(CH2O)3CNH3}]3- as a precursor for the first time to prepare Mo2C nanoparticles. The POMs were mixed with chitosan (CS) in aqueous solution and carbonized at high temperature to abtain highly dispersed N, Ni-doped Mo2C nanoparticles. The final electrocatalyst shows enhanced HER performance and good electrochemical stability. This article offers a feasible preparation of doped catalytic materials and extends the application of polyoxometalates.