Fig. 1: Materials synthesis and characterization.

a Schematic of preparing the MoC–Mo2C-790 in molten carbonate and digital pictures of the Mo electrode before and after electrolysis. b SEM images of the synthesized MoC–Mo2C-790, the inset is an enlarged view of the 3D hierarchical honeycomb-like structures on the surface of MoC–Mo2C-790. c TEM image of the samples collected from the MoC–Mo2C-790. d High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) image of the powders from the MoC–Mo2C-790. e HAADF-STEM image and the corresponding EDS mapping of the MoC–Mo2C-790. f Cross-sectional SEM images (BSE) with their corresponding element distribution mappings by EPMA of the MoC–Mo2C-790. g XRD pattern of the MoC–Mo2C-790. h XPS pattern of the MoC–Mo2C-790.