1T-MoSe2 nanosheets featuring expanded (002) interlayer spacings as large as 1.17 nm are prepared and demonstrated as an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Hierarchical nanotubes consisting of MoSe2 nanosheets with an expanded interlayer spacing of 1.00 nm are synthesized and demonstrated as a highly stable electrode of sodium ion batteries. The MoSe2 nanotube electrode shows a long lifetime of 1500 cycles with a reversible discharge capacity of 228 mA h g−1 at a high current density of 1000 mA g−1.

Hierarchical MoS2 x Se2(1- x ) nanotubes assembled from several-layered nanosheets featuring tunable chalcogen compositions, expanded interlayer spacing and carbon modification, are synthesized for enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The chalcogen compositions of the MoS2 x Se2(1- x ) nanotubes are controllable by adjusting the selenization temperature and duration while the expanded (002) interlayer spacing varies from 0.98 to 0.68 nm. It is found that the MoS2 x Se2(1- x ) (x = 0.54) nanotubes with expanded interlayer spacing of 0.98 nm exhibit the highest electrocatalytic HER activity with a low onset potential of 101 mV and a Tafel slope of 55 mV dec(-1) . The improved electrocatalytic performance is attributed to the chalcogen composition tuning and the interlayer distance expansion to achieve benefitting hydrogen adsorption energy. The present work suggests a potential way to design advanced HER electrocatalysts through modulating their compositions and interlayer distances.