Ditungsten carbide nanoparticles homogeneously embedded in carbon nanofibers for efficient hydrogen production.

[Display omitted] • W 2 C/C NFs are fabricated by an electrospinning-assisted synthetic strategy. • Good HER activity for W 2 C/C NFs: η 10 of 92, 81, and 115 mV in acidic, alkaline, and neutral media. • HER activity of W 2 C/C NFs precede 20% Pt/C at high current density in 1.0 M KOH. As a promising electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), ditungsten carbide (W 2 C) has aroused extensive attention. Pure-phase W 2 C nanoparticles embedded in carbon nanofibers (W 2 C/C NFs) could provide abundant accessible catalytically active sites and facilitate electron transfer for efficient HER. In this work, W 2 C/C NFs were fabricated by an electrospinning-assisted synthetic strategy. The optimized sample W 2 C/C NFs-20 exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performances in wide-pH range, especially in alkaline media, showing low overpotential (η) of 81, 137, and 157 mV to reach 10, 100, and 200 mA cm−2, respectively. One dimensional nanostructure and the strong coupling of W 2 C within the carbon matrix synergistically brought faster electron transport and more active sites, and thus a significant enhancement in HER activity. Based on the strategy reported here, other transition metal carbide nanofibers could be prepared to expand opportunities in various catalytic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]