Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution from Edge-Oriented WS_2(1–x)Se_2x Particles on Three-Dimensional Porous NiSe₂ Foam

Abstract

The large consumption of natural fossil fuels and accompanying environmental problems are driving the exploration of cost-effective and robust catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water splitting. Tungsten dichalcogenides (WS, WSe, etc.) are promising candidates for such purpose, but their HER performances are inherently limited by the sparse catalytic edge sites and poor electrical conductivity. Here we demonstrate a highly active and stable HER catalyst by integrating ternary tungsten sulfoselenide WSSe particles with a 3D porous metallic NiSe foam, in which good electrical conductivity, good contact, large surface area, and high-density active edge sites are simultaneously obtained, thus contributing to outstanding catalytic performance: large cathode current density (-10 mA/cm at -88 mV), low Tafel slope (46.7 mV/dec), large exchange current density (214.7 μA/cm), and good stability, which is better than most reports on WS and NiSe catalysts. This work paves an interesting route for boosting HER efficiency of transition metal dichalcogenide catalysts.

Recent Progress on Layered Double Hydroxides and Their Derivatives for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting

“…Therefore, low‐cost, highly efficient, and stable long‐term electrocatalysts for water splitting are needed. Currently, transition‐metal (Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, and Mo)‐based catalysts including metal oxides,23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 hydroxides,31, 32, 33, 34, 35 phosphides,36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 sulfides,43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 selenides,49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 and nitrides55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62 have been highlighted as the most promising candidates of OER and HER electrocatalysts. Especially, layered double hydroxides (LDHs)63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 and their derivatives (metal hydroxides, oxyhydroxides, oxides, bimetal nitrides, phosphides, sulfides, and selenides)86, 87, 88, 89, 9...…”

Highly Robust Non‐Noble Alkaline Hydrogen‐Evolving Electrocatalyst from Se‐Doped Molybdenum Disulfide Particles on Interwoven CoSe2 Nanowire Arrays

“…Moreover, both Ni foam support and CoSe 2 nanowire arrays provide high ECSAs to enable the exposure of numerous edge sites for hydrogen adsorption, and provide a convenient electrolyte diffusion pathway and a simple release route for the products. Finally, the strong interfacial interactions between Se‐MoS 2 and CoSe 2 nanowire play a vital role in the overall activity [ 32,33,36,37 ] based on the following points: 1) Co atoms prefer to chemically bind on S‐edge sites rather than on Mo‐edge sites at the Se‐MoS 2 /CoSe 2 interface as reported previously. [ 49,50 ] The strong chemical bonding between Co atoms in CoSe 2 and Se‐MoS 2 leads to electron migration from CoSe 2 to Se‐MoS 2 , [ 49 ] which dramatically increases the electron density of Se‐MoS 2 and accumulates more electrons at the CoS bonds at the Se‐MoS 2 /CoSe 2 interface where S atoms are provided by Se‐MoS 2 , thereby enhancing the relevant conductivity.…”

“…[ 32 ] Alternatively, making MoS 2 ‐based catalysts to chemically interact with their back support is possibly a feasible route directing to this purpose. [ 37 ] In this regard, we carried out in situ synthesis of layered Se‐MoS 2 particles on top of a conductive CoSe 2 support. It can be divided into two main steps ( Figure a).…”

“…Additionally, the rough and curved surfaces of the CoSe 2 support are very beneficial for edge orientation of layered catalysts. [ 37,38 ] Abundant active edge sites of the Se‐MoS 2 particles are chemically contacted with the CoSe 2 support [ 26,49 ] and exposed to the electrolyte, further enhancing electron transfer from the support to the active edge sites. Moreover, both Ni foam support and CoSe 2 nanowire arrays provide high ECSAs to enable the exposure of numerous edge sites for hydrogen adsorption, and provide a convenient electrolyte diffusion pathway and a simple release route for the products.…”

“…Even so, these attempts help us to envision that interfacial engineering could be an effective solution to develop robust MoS 2 ‐based electrocatalysts to circumvent the sluggish HER process in base. [ 35–37 ]…”