Abstract
Mo-based catalysts constitute a significant portion of active non-noble H2 evolution reaction (HER) catalysts, but the role of Mo in conferring this activity remains debated. In this study, we utilize electrochemical, physical, functional, and computational approaches on a range of Mo-based catalysts to derive a unified explanation for Mo HER catalyst function. Across all catalysts studied, the formation of Mo3+ at cathodic potentials close to the thermodynamic HER onset drives activity, and activity between catalysts is therefore heavily determined by the ease of reduction from Mo4+ to Mo3+. As such, surface oxidation is detrimental to HER activity as it makes Mo3+ formation less facile. This theory provides a cohesive explanation for the origin of activity in Mo-based HER catalysts, emphasizing the specific role of Mo atoms in forming hydrides and carrying out the HER from Mo3+, with implications for future Mo catalyst design.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 3695-3702 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | ACS Energy Letters |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 3 2022 |
Bibliographical note
KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2022-10-07Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. L.C. and R.A. acknowledge Shaheen and the HPC Core Labs team at KAUST.