Large-scale production of a low-cost molybdenum dioxide-phosphide seamless electrode for high-current-density hydrogen evolution

Herein, we report the large-scale production of a molybdenum oxide-phosphide (MoO2-MoP) seamless electrode (SE) that is vertically grown on cheap industrial-grade molybdenum substrates (e.g. molybdenum plate, molybdenum mesh, or molybdenum wire) using a facile solid-state synthesis method, which is suitable for various devices under complex application conditions. These features give the seamless electrode a mechanically robust and excellent electrical contact between the MoO2-MoP catalyst and Mo substrate, leading to high HER activity and excellent durability, together with a low overpotential of 362 mV to achieve a current density of 800 mA cm(-2). Surprisingly, the MoO2-MoP mesh electrode affords a current density of 1000 mA cm(-2) at 293 mV in 1.0 M KOH solution, while it needs an overpotential of only 215 mV to achieve the same current density in 5.0 M KOH solution, which is suitable for practical alkaline hydrogen production. This work throws light on the rational design of the large-scale production of electrocatalysts for efficient hydrogen production at the industrial level.

Automated summary

The large-scale production of a MoO2-MoP seamless electrode on cheap industrial-grade molybdenum substrates using a solid-state synthesis method shows high HER activity and durability, making it suitable for various devices under complex application conditions.