Embedding Co6Mo6C2-Mo2C heterostructure nanoparticles in carbon nanofibers as highly efficient electrocatalysts for overall water splitting

In this study, carbon nanofibers (CNFs) embedding molybdenum carbide (Mo 2 C)/cobalt (Co)-molybdenum (Mo) bimetallic carbide heterostructure electrocatalysts (denoted as A-B/CNFs) were prepared via electrospinning and high-temperature carbonization . Owing to the synergistic interaction between Co 6 Mo 6 C 2 and Mo 2 C components, the catalyst activity is improved. Furthermore, the rich mesoporous structure and electrical conductivity of CNFs, accelerate the reaction kinetics. As a result, the optimized Co 6 Mo 6 C 2 -Mo 2 C/CNFs-1 has excellent bifunctional electrocatalytic activity . With the current density of 10 mA cm −2 , the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) overpotential is only 94 mV, and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) overpotential is 295 mV in an alkaline electrolyte . Building an alkaline electrolyzer with Co 6 Mo 6 C 2 -Mo 2 C/CNFs-1 as the anode and cathode electrodes requires a low cell voltage of only 1.66 V to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm −2 , while maintaining ideal durability. This research offers a versatile and effective approach to creating bimetallic-based monolithic hydrolysis electrocatalysts .