Simple Synthesis of 2D Molybdenum Carbide Nanosheets and Their Application in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

We have synthesized two phases of 2D molybdenum carbides (alpha-MoC1-x, beta-Mo2C) in nanosheets form and use them as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The procedure involves the preparation of hexadecylamine intercalated molybdenum oxide (MoO3-HDA) nanosheets at room temperature, followed by heating at a high temperature for different duration (900 degrees C) in nitrogen atmosphere. iii-MoC and alpha-McC(1-x) and beta-Mo2C nanosheets have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and other techniques. alpha-MoC(1-x )exhibits good HER electro catalytic performance and is chemically stable for a longer time in acidic conditions.