A New Platinum-Like Efficient Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction at All pH: Single-Crystal Metallic Interweaved V8C7 Networks

Exploring low-cost hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts with remarkable activity over wide pH range (0-14) still remains an enormous challenge. Herein, for the first time, a novel platinum-like, double-deck carbon coated V8C7 networks with the highly active (110) facet exposed as a new efficient HER electrocatalyst is reported. The single-crystal interweaved V8C7 networks are designed and fabricated based on a low crystal-mismatch strategy and confinement effect of double-deck carbon coating. In addition, electrochemical tests and theoretical simulation indicate that the metallic character of V8C7, high-activity of exposed facet, and low barrier energy for water dissociation can contribute to highly catalytic activity of HER. Impressively, the HER performances of the interweaved V8C7 networks can be comparable to those of Pt at an all-pH environment, with Tafel slopes of 44, 64, and 34.5 mV dec(-1) and overpotential of 47, 77, and 38 mV at -10 mA cm(-2) in 1 M KOH, 0.1 M phosphate buffer, and 0.5 M H2SO4, respectively. This work provides a blueprint for exploring new-type platinum-like catalysts for various energy conversion systems.