Simple Synthesis of 2D Molybdenum Carbide Nanosheets and Their Application in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

We have synthesized two phases of 2D molybdenum carbides (α‐MoC 1‐x , β‐Mo 2 C) in nanosheets form and use them as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The procedure involves the preparation of hexadecylamine intercalated molybdenum oxide (MoO 3 ‐HDA) nanosheets at room temperature, followed by heating at a high temperature for different duration (900 °C) in nitrogen atmosphere. α‐MoC 1‐x and β‐Mo 2 C nanosheets have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and other techniques. α‐MoC 1‐x exhibits good HER electrocatalytic performance and is chemically stable for a longer time in acidic conditions.