Ionic Liquid as Reaction Medium for Synthesis of Hierarchically Structured One-Dimensional MoO2 for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

Hierarchically structured one-dimensional (ID) MoO2 is synthesized for the first time in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([BMIM][Tf2N]). The synthesis system is very simple (single [BMIM] [Tf2N] solvent plus MoO2(acac)2 reactant). [BMIM][Tf2N] itself works as both the reaction medium and the template for the formation of these interesting 1D MoO2 particles with ultrathin nanosheet subunits. The as-synthesized hierarchically 1D MoO2_(40) particles exhibit remarkable electrocatalytic activity with good long-term cycle stability for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic media. The HER activity of present synthesized MoO2 is comparable to those of the most active Mo-based electrocatalysts in acid media reported up to now. Therefore, the ionic liquid route provides us with a newly powerful tool for the synthesis of interesting alternative to noble metal catalysts for efficient electrocatalytic production of hydrogen in acidic environment.