Controllable synthesis of mesoporous Mo2C nanofibers photocatalyst for H2O2 production

Photocatalysis is a promising method to alternative anthraquinone for producing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is a clean and important oxidizing agent in industry. Molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) attracted much interests as photocatalysts due to its high stability, narrow and tunable bandgap, and good electrical conductivity. However, Mo2C is always considered as a co-catalyst, and it is still a challenge to develop and explore the role of pure Mo2C as a photocatalyst for H2O2 generation. Meanwhile, the controllable synthesis of Mo2C, especially the morphology and structures rational design, is crucial to enhance its photocatalytic performance. In this work, the mesoporous Mo2C nanofibers has been synthesized by the simple impregnation method and its content was easily regulated by modulating the concentration of molybdenum precursor impregnated solution. The influence of Mo2C content and composition was demonstrated for H2O2 photocatalytic performance and its possible mechanism was proposed. The Mo2C nanofibers with diameter of 170 nm and highest Mo2C content of 97 wt% (sample MC-IV) exhibited the best photocatalytic H2O2 production of 144 mu mol at the first hour, and its possible mechanism is two-electron O-2 reduction (2e(-) ORR). This work may provide a general strategy for the synthesis of Mo2C nanomaterials as photocatalysts for H2O2 production.