MoO 2 is a promising material for efficient and cost-effective electrocatalytic water splitting, particularly for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. Modifying the morphology, composition, or oxidation state of MoO 2 can enhance its active surface area and performance. In this study, Mo-coated carbon paper was used as a substrate to synthesize well-organized MoO 2 nanowires and nanosheets via a one-step CVD method without any catalyst. The nanosheets and nanowires grow perpendicularly to the substrate. MoO 2 nanowire arrays exhibit superior OER performance, characterized by a lower onset potential (1.54 V), a smaller Tafel slope, and enhanced durability compared to nanosheets. This improvement is likely attributed to the increased number of exposed active sites, reduced presence of oxidized Mo 4+ , and smaller crystalline size. Graphical abstract Here, well-organized MoO 2 nanowires and nanosheets have been fabricated on carbon paper using a one-step CVD method by reducing MoO 3 with Mo powder to investigate the intrinsic relationship between morphology, elemental composition and state, and their electrocatalytic properties. The obtained nanosheets presented as a flower-like structure, while nanowires formed into well-aligned arrays. MoO 2 nanowires contained higher amounts of Mo 4+ , were composed of smaller crystal grains, and possessed a lower onset potential for OER (oxygen evolution reaction) at about 1.54 V, a smaller Tafel slope at about 110 mV/dec, and better durability when compared to MoO 2 nanosheets.
High purity H 2 formed by electrochemical water splitting is profound potential green energy. Exploiting advanced electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in both acidic and base environment is of critical significance. Herein, we report a novel hybrid comprising stacked cobalt tungsten carbides nanocrystals on N-doping carbon matrix (Co 6 W 6 C–N@CNFs) as a superb HER catalyst over the entire pH range via facile electrospinning and CVD method. On account of its ultrathin size and the strong synergetic interaction between bimetals , coupled with the superior conductivity of N-doping CNFs , Co 6 W 6 C–N@CNFs presents superior catalytic properties , with low overpotentials of 86 and 116 mV at η 10 and small Tafel slopes of 85 and 101 mV dec −1 in acidic and alkali, respectively, as well as outstanding long-term stability, rivalling its potential to be used intensively in water electrolysis technologies.