The rational design of low-cost electrocatalysts
with the desired
performance is the core of the large-scale hydrogen production from
water. Two-dimensional materials with high specific surface area and
excellent electron properties are ideal candidates for electrocatalytic
water splitting. Herein, we identify a hitherto unknown Mo2P3 monolayer with a Janus structure (i.e., out-of-plane asymmetry) through first-principle structure search
calculations. Its inherent metallicity ensures good electrical conductivity.
Notably, its catalytic activity is comparable to that of Pt and the
density of active sites is up to 2.65 × 1015 site/cm2 owing to the Mo → P charge transfer enhancing the
catalytic activity of P atoms and asymmetric structure exposing more
active sites to the surface. The Mo2P3 monolayer
can spontaneously produce hydrogen through the Volmer–Heyrovsky
pathway. These excellent performances can be well maintained under
strain. The coexistence of covalent and ionic bonds results in Mo2P3 having high stability. All these excellent properties
make the Mo2P3 monolayer a promising candidate
for electrocatalytic water splitting.
With the consumption of energy and the destruction of the environment by mankind, mankind is now facing a serious energy and environmental crisis. In order to solve this situation, photocatalytic hydrogen production from water will become an effective way. MoS2 shows a good potential for photocatalytic hydrogen production, and the research in this paper will help to develop efficient photovoltaic hydrogen production materials. Two-dimensional MoS2 is a layered transition metal compound similar to graphene. For its advantages, such as large specific surface area, suitable band gap, high catalytic activity of hydrogen evolution by edge suspension bond and strong photocorrosion resistance, it shows good application potential in photocatalytic hydrogen production. This paper summarizes the research progress of layered MoS2 in photocatalytic hydrogen production in recent years. The preparation method of two-dimensional layered MoS2, the structure and properties of MoS2, and the application of the composite system formed by MoS2 and other semiconductor materials in photocatalytic hydrogen production are introduced. Besides, the author discussed the development prospects of MoS2.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.