Trimetallic Ni–Co–Mo Nanoparticles Supported on N-Doped Carbon as a Promising Electrocatalyst for the Methanol-Assisted Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Electrochemical water splitting is a promising technology for clean energy generation, specifically for hydrogen (H2) production. However, the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is sluggish, motivating the exploration of alternative reactions, such as the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) to achieve efficient H2 fuel production and value-added formate simultaneously. Therefore, the development of high-performance and cost-effective electrocatalysts is crucial for boosting the methanol-assisted hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this study, we present a facile hydrothermal synthesis followed by annealing to fabricate a nitrogen (N)-doped carbon-supported Ni–Co–Mo oxide electrocatalyst. The electrochemical performance of the catalyst was evaluated using linear sweep voltammetry. Remarkably, the optimized catalyst, denoted as 450-NCMO@NC, demonstrated outstanding electrocatalytic activity for MOR (139 mV at 50 mA cm–2) and HER (220 mV at 50 mA cm–2) in 1.0 M KOH and 1.0 M CH3OH electrolyte, respectively. Moreover, the NCMO@NC-450 catalyst exhibited remarkable water splitting activity in a two-electrode cell, requiring only a cell potential of 1.544 V at 100 mA cm–2 current density while maintaining long-term stability. The electrochemical performance of the catalyst was attributed to its high electrochemical surface area and uniform distribution of NiCoMo on the N-doped carbon matrix. The trimetallic surface served as active sites for catalytic reactions, facilitating charge transfer between the reactants and the electrode. Additionally, the synergistic effects between NiCoMoO4 and the N-doped carbon heterostructure promoted charge delocalization, ultimately enhancing the electrocatalytic performance and stability of the catalyst. Overall, our results demonstrate the great potential of N-doped carbon-supported Mo–Ni–Co oxide electrocatalysts for highly efficient methanol-assisted hydrogen production, positioning them as promising candidates for clean energy applications. The successful integration of N-doped carbon with the Ni–Co–Mo oxide catalyst offers innovative opportunities for the development of cost-effective and high-performance electrocatalysts in the field of sustainable energy.