The carbon fibers-supported cobalt nanoparticles (Co/CFs) electrocatalyst with lignocellulose as a matrix is prepared by impregnating and then carbonizing at a high temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) are used to analyze the compositions and the micromorphology of the samples. And the electrocatalytic activities are tested by a CHI workstation. It is shown that the use of CFs alleviates the problem of easy agglomeration of Co nanoparticles (Co NPs), which is conducive to achieve a maximum exposure of active sites. When used as a hydrogen evolution catalyst, only a low overpotential of 250 mV is required for obtaining a current density of 10 mA cm-2 and the catalyst could also maintain its stability for a time as long as 15 h.

lignocellulosic carbon fibers  /  cobalt  /  electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution