2D WC single crystal embedded in graphene for enhancing hydrogen evolution reaction

Electrochemical water splitting is regarded as one of the most economical and eco-friendly approaches for hydrogen revolution. Developing a low-cost and earth-abundant non-noble-metal catalyst will be of the most significance. Tungsten carbide (WC) is highly promising due to its platinum (Pt) -like behavior in surface catalysis. Here we first report a liquid metal solvent based co-segregation (LMSCS) strategy to fabricate a high uniformity of 2D WC crystals embedded in graphene by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in one step. The 2D in-plane WC–graphene heterostructures (i-WC–G) are remarkably stable under an electro-catalytic environment and ensure good interfacial synergy between the 2D WC crystallites and graphene to achieve a more effective hydrogen evolution. The overpotential is as low as 120 mV and the Tafel slope is 38 mV/dec, which indeed exhibits outstanding catalytic potential among the reported 2D material systems. Our elegant and versatile approach allows the fabrication of other high-quality 2D transition metal carbides (TMCs) and their in-plane heterostructures, which will further promote practical catalytic applications of metal carbides.