2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides‐Based Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Hydrogen is an efficient, clean, and economical energy source, owing to its huge energy density. Electrochemical water splitting is a potential candidate for inexpensive and eco-friendly hydrogen production. Recently, the development of 2D transition metal chalcogenides (TMDs) nanomaterials with a variety of physicochemical properties has shown their potential as eminent non-noble metal-based nanoscale electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution. Nanostructuring such materials induces deep modification of their functionalities, compared to their bulk counterparts. High density of different types of exposed active sites is formed, and the small diffusion paths, which enhances the electron transfer in the 2D structures, can successfully aid the charge collection process in the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions. In this review, the key parameters to improve the catalyst performance of 2D TMDs in electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) processes are discussed in detail and the most recent developments in the field are summarized, focusing on the improvement of the electrocatalytic activity of 2D TMDs. This review delivers deep insight for the clear understanding of the potential of 2D TMDs nanoscale materials as electrocatalysts for HER, suggesting the development of new type of catalyst with efficient activity in HER as well as other renewable energy fields.

Progress in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution of transition metal alloys: synthesis, structure, and mechanism analysis

“…Water splitting is formed from two half-reactions: oxygen evolution reaction at the anodic end and hydrogen evolution reaction at the cathodic end. 10 The thermodynamically-required potential for HER, whether in acidic, basic, or neutral solutions, is 0 V vs. RHE. The accepted pathway for HER is the Volmer–Heyrovsky or Volmer–Tafel mechanism, with slight differences in the exact process, depending on the electrolyte.…”

“…Water splitting is formed from two half-reactions: oxygen evolution reaction at the anodic end and hydrogen evolution reaction at the cathodic end. 10 The…”

CuCoO2 nanocrystals derived from an isopropanol-modified Cu-BTC using alkaline water oxidation

“…1,2 In general, electrochemical water splitting is an ideal approach for producing green hydrogen gas without the emission of any polluting gases. 3 Hydrogen production from water electrolysis usually involves two reactions: the cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Because the OER reaction involves four electron transfer processes, the thermodynamics and kinetics of the reaction are slow and the energy conversion efficiency is low.…”

Alloyed RexMo1 – xS2 Nanoflakes with Enlarged Interlayer Distances for Hydrogen Evolution

“…32 Compared to the other synthesis approaches, the colloidal method can overcome the low reaction yield of exfoliation and drawbacks of expensive equipment used in chemical vapor deposition, which make colloidal synthesis a facile and scalable route to TMD-based catalysts. 32 Commonly, colloidal TMD nanoparticles contain long-chain organic ligands, the presence of which can hamper electron transport within the material, thus deteriorating its catalytic performance. 33 Such nanomaterials require additional treatment to remove the ligands and activate the surface.…”