Escalating Catalytic Activity for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction on MoSe2@Graphene Functionalization

Abstract

Developing highly efficient and durable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts is crucial for addressing the energy and environmental challenges. Among the 2D-layered chalcogenides, MoSe2 possesses superior features for HER catalysis. The van der Waals attractions and high surface energy, however, stack the MoSe2 layers, resulting in a loss of edge active catalytic sites. In addition, MoSe2 suffers from low intrinsic conductivity and weak electrical contact with active sites. To overcome the issues, this work presents a novel approach, wherein the in situ incorporated diethylene glycol solvent into the interlayers of MoSe2 during synthesis when treated thermally in an inert atmosphere at 600 °C transformed into graphene (Gr). This widened the interlayer spacing of MoSe2, thereby exposing more HER active edge sites with high conductivity offered by the incorporated Gr. The resulting MoSe2-Gr composite exhibited a significantly enhanced HER catalytic activity compared to the pristine MoSe2 in an acidic medium and demonstrated a superior HER catalytic activity compared to the state-of-the-art Pt/C catalyst, particularly at a high current density beyond ca. 55 mA cm−2. Additionally, the MoSe2-Gr catalyst demonstrated long-term electrochemical stability during HER. This work, thus, presents a facile and novel approach for obtaining an efficient MoSe2 electrocatalyst applicable in green hydrogen production.

Promotion effect of intercalated citrate anion on the reconstruction of NiFe LDH for oxygen evolution reaction

“…39 The expanded interlayer spacing could provide more edge sites, which are highly active for OER. [40][41][42] The morphological structure of these pre-catalysts was verified using SEM and TEM. For NiFe LDH (see in Fig.…”

Enhancing hydrogen generation through urea electro-oxidation on a bimetallic and dual-anionic NiFeSP/NF nanostructured electrode

“…Also, nickel foam and platinum foil (due to their better performance than Pt/C for the HER) were used to compare and validate the results further. 38,39 The comparison of the LSV curves of synthesized electrodes in a solution of 1.0 M KOH is depicted in Fig. 4a.…”

In situ-engineered coral-like multiphase NC@NiCoCu–N/NCF nanoarrays for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction

“…The EIS curve of the fitted NC@NiCoCu-N/NCF (2.25 Ω) showed smaller semicircles as compared with those of NiCo-N/NCF (2.59 Ω), Cu/NCF (3.23 Ω) and NCF (4.21 Ω), indicating that NC@NiCoCu-N/NCF has the smallest charge transfer resistance, which can accelerate the electron transfer between the electrolyte and catalyst in the HER process, promoting the decomposition of water and the generation of H*, thus enhancing the HER work efficiency. 38 This is the result of the joint action of NC shell, bimetallic conductive substrate and nitride with good conductivity. 39…”