Colloidal synthesis of VSe₂single-layer nanosheets as novel electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

We present a one-pot colloidal route to synthesize VSe2, a new type of metallic single-layer nanosheet. The ∼0.4 nm thick VSe2 single-layer nanosheets possess extraordinary electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance with a low onset overpotential of 108 mV, a small Tafel slope of 88 mV per decade, and an exceptional overpotential of 206 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm(-2).

2D Metallic Transitional Metal Dichalcogenides for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution

“…Colloidal synthesis is an efficient route for the large‐scale production of TMDC nanosheets with low cost. Recently, this method has also been applied to synthesize MTMDC nanosheets (e.g., VS 2 , VSe 2 , etc.) and the related heterostructures (e.g., VS 2 /reduced graphene oxide [rGO] hybrids, etc.).…”

“…Especially, without using a surfactant, the excessive aggregation of reactants can occur and lead to the formation of thick domains. Later on, Cao and co‐workers synthesized single‐layer VSe 2 nanosheets through a one‐pot colloidal route . The detailed route was briefly shown in Figure a.…”

“…c) HRTEM image of single‐layer VSe 2 nanosheets. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2016, The Royal Society of Chemistry.…”

“…However, the controllability of layer thickness and domain size, as well as the batch production possibility for this route is still challenging. To tackle these issues, several scalable methods, including chemical exfoliation, colloidal synthesis, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), have been developed to synthesize MTMDC nanosheets. Notably, the chemical exfoliation method is compatible with the large‐scale production, and the as‐prepared colloidal nanosheet suspensions can be used to manufacture air‐stable inks for coating and printing .…”

Controllable synthesis and luminescent properties of rare earth doped Gd2(MoO4)3 nanoplates

“…Nowdays, the shape control of inorganic nano-/micromaterials has attracted considerable attention, due to the shape, size, and morphology are tightly related to the property of nanomaterials, which have giant effects on their chemical, physical, magnetoelectric, photocatalytic, fluorescent and catalytic properties [22,23]. Therefore, it is badly in need of to synthesize inorganic nanocrystals with a controlled morphology [24,25]. So far, a large number of synthesis techniques such as co-precipitation process, hydrothermal process, sol-gel process and solvothermal process have widely used in the synthesis of nanocrystal with controlled morphology.…”