Scientists from Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), led by Dr. Neena S. John and Ph.D. scholar Palash Jyoti Gogoi, conducted the research in collaboration with Dr. Chandraraj Alex from Kiel University, Germany, and Dr. Satadeep Bhattacharjee and Dr. Swetarekha Ram from the Indo-Korea Science and Technology Center (IKST), Bengaluru.
The study focused on molybdenum carbide (Mo₂C), a widely studied earth-abundant catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Advanced experimental techniques used include in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), in situ Raman spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations to track structural changes.
Mo₂C undergoes dynamic reconstruction during HER, forming oxygen-deficient molybdenum oxide (MoO_x) domains with a local coordination environment resembling MoO₂.
These reconstructed species facilitate hydrogen generation, leading to improved catalytic activity and stability.
In contrast, Mo/Mo₂C heterostructures exhibit faster oxidation, resulting in the formation of soluble molybdate species and loss of catalytic activity.
The research demonstrates that controlled reconstruction in Mo₂C promotes catalytic efficiency, while uncontrolled oxidation leads to degradation.
Findings were published in the journal Material Horizons, with the publication link: https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH02010G.
The insights aim to guide the design of efficient, next-generation electrocatalysts for low-cost hydrogen production systems.
