Electrochemical Tuning of MoS₂ Nanoparticles on Three-Dimensional Substrate for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with the two-dimensional layered structure has been widely studied as an advanced catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Intercalating guest species into the van der Waals gaps of MoS2 has been demonstrated as an effective approach to tune the electronic structure and consequently improve the HER catalytic activity. In this work, by constructing nanostructured MoS2 particles with largely exposed edge sites on the three-dimensional substrate and subsequently conducting Li electrochemical intercalation and exfoliation processes, an ultrahigh HER performance with 200 mA/cm(2) cathodic current density at only 200 mV overpotential is achieved. We propose that both the high surface area nanostructure and the 2H semiconducting to 1T metallic phase transition of MoS2 are responsible for the outstanding catalytic activity. Electrochemical stability test further confirms the long-term operation of the catalyst.

Two-dimensional layered MoS2: rational design, properties and electrochemical applications

“…As for practical applications, the fabrication of MoS 2 on CFP was also reported via a pyrolytic synthesis using MoO 3 NPs. 104 MoS 2 NPs with a diameter of 30 nm were obtained by a rapid sulfurization process, the scheme of which is depicted in Fig. 8E.…”

Two-Dimensional MXenes as Catalysts for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution: A Computational Screening Study

“…For example, the adsorption free energy of hydrogen is a descriptor for the HER activity while the heat of formation is a descriptor for the stability of the catalyst. [1][2][3][4][5] Among numerous classes of materials which might replace platinum for the HER, some atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) materials have shown promising results. [2][3][4][5][6] A unique feature of the 2D materials is that their extreme thinness makes it relatively easy to tune their properties, e.g.…”

“…3,[7][8][9][10][11][12] Additionally, the rapid ramification of the family of 2D materials is continuously expanding this class of materials opening new opportunities for HER catalysis. 3,[7][8][9][10][11][12] A newly discovered class of 2D materials comprising carbides and nitrides of transition metals, also known as 'MXenes', has shown promise for various energy applications. [13][14][15][16][17] So far, the MXenes have mainly been explored for their prospective application in lithium/sodium ion batteries.…”

A Flexible Platform Containing Graphene Mesoporous Structure and Carbon Nanotube for Hydrogen Evolution

“…The high activity mainly comes from the sulfur atoms at the edges of MoS 2 6, 7. Extensive efforts have been dedicated to preparing edge‐rich MoS 2 with ample electrochemically accessible active sites to enhance catalyst activity 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Currently, the preparation of MoS 2 for hydrogen evolution reaction involves complex and time‐consuming processes such as chemical Li‐intercalation and exfoliation,15, 16 chemical vapor deposition growth,17, 18 and hydrothermal/solvothermal reaction 8, 19, 20, 21, 22.…”