N-doped graphene supported W2C/WC as efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Tungsten carbides (W2C and WC) materials, as promising non-precious electrocatalysts, possess highly efficient activity for HER. Herein, N-doped graphene supported tungsten carbide (N–W2C/WC) nanocomposite is synthesized by spray drying process followed with a two-step pyrolysis treatment, which exhibits a remarkable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity and excellent stability in acidic solution and alkaline solution. N–W2C/WC displays low overpotentials of 166 mV and 125 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and small Tafel slopes of 60.97 and 62.66 mV dec−1 in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 1.0 M KOH, respectively. After 1000 cycles, the electrocatalytic activity of N–W2C/WC is almost no change in acidic media but slightly decreases in alkaline media. This work might provide a new way to explore high comprehensive performance tungsten-based electrocatalyst for HER.