Hydrogen Evolution on Mechanically Synthesized Particles of Tungsten- and Iron-Based Carbides: WC, Fe3C, Fe3W3C, and Fe6W6C

Abstract The electrocatalytic activity of a number of mechanically activated/mechanically alloyed carbide phases of iron and tungsten and Fe3W3C and Fe6W6C bimetallic carbides in the evolution of hydrogen has been studied. Electrocatalysts have been prepared by compacting carbide particles with polyaniline as a conducting polymer. The highest activity is exhibited by Fe3C and WC nanocrystalline particles. Metallic phases in the composition of the particles slow down the rate of hydrogen evolution. Subsequent annealing of these particles transforms metallic phases to bimetallic carbides and accelerates the hydrogen evolution. The activity of the phases of Fe3W3C and Fe6W6C bimetallic carbides in the hydrogen evolution is fairly high, but they are inferior to the Fe3C and WC nanocrystalline particles.