Molybdenum carbide microcrystals : efficient and stable catalyst for photocatalytic H2 evolution from water in the presence of dye sensitizer

Abstract Rod-like molybdenum carbide (Mo 2 C) microcrystals were obtained from the pyrolysis of Mo-containing organic-inorganic hybrid composite. We investigated the photocatalytic H 2 evolution activity of Mo 2 C by constructing a Mo 2 C-dye sensitizer photocatalyst system. A high quantum efficiency of 29.7% was obtained at 480 nm. Moreover, Mo 2 C catalyst can be easily recycled by simple filtration.