Ultrafine Mo2C Nanoparticles Confined in 2D Meshlike Carbon Nanolayers for Effective Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract Electrochemical water splitting has been considered as a promising method for large‐scale hydrogen production. However, the development of high‐performance and low‐cost noble metal‐free electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a great challenge. Transition metal carbides (such as molybdenum carbide) are one of the most potential substitutes for noble metal as electrocatalysts for HER. One of the effective measures for further enhancing their performances is to hinder the coalescence of nanoparticles. Here we demonstrate a two‐dimensional ultrafine molybdenum carbide‐coupled mesoporous structured meshlike carbon nanolayers synthesized vis facile route based on holes in the carbon nanolayer structures blocking nanoparticle agglomeration. Molybdenum carbide clusters dispersed on the carbon nanolayers are successfully prepared by carbonization of molybdate‐polyvinylpyrrolidone precursor as a proof of concept, which exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity for the HER and high stability in basic medium. The present study provides some references for the design and synthesis of nanostructured electrocatalysts utilizing 2D meshlike materials to prevent nanoparticles from agglomerating.