MoP nanoparticles encapsulated in P-doped carbon as an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Numerous efforts have been made to search for high-efficiency and noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this work, molybdenum phosphide (MoP) nanoparticles encapsulated in P-doped carbon (MoP@PC) was synthesized through a facile one-step pyrolysis of the precursor, namely 3D cross-linked network structure of MoOx contained in polyaniline and phytic acid (MoOx@PANI-PA). The obtained MoP@PCelectrocatalyst retained the 3D structure and exhibits outstanding HER abilities with ultra-low overpotential (eta(10) = 69 mV), small Tafel slope (55 mV dec(-1)) and high stability in acid solution. This work offers a facile method to prepare cost-effective transition metal phosphide catalysts.