Progress in Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Based on Monolayer Molybdenum Disulfide

Abstract

Energy and environmental issues raise higher demands on the development of a sustainable energy system, and the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution is one of the most important ways to realize this goal. Two-dimensional (2D) materials represented by molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) have been widely investigated as an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution. However, there are still some shortcomings to restrict the efficiency of MoS2 electrocatalyst, such as the limited numbers of active sites, lower intrinsic catalytic activity and poor interlayer conductivity. In this review, the application of monolayer MoS2 and its composites with 0D, 1D, and 2D nanomaterials in the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution were discussed. On the basis of optimizing the composition and structure, the numbers of active sites, intrinsic catalytic activity, and interlayer conductivity could be significantly enhanced. In the future, the study would focus on the structure, active site, and interface characteristics, as well as the structure-activity relationship and synergetic effect. Then, the enhanced electrocatalytic activity of monolayer MoS2 can be achieved at the macro, nano and atomic levels, respectively. This review provides a new idea for the structural design of two-dimensional electrocatalytic materials. Meanwhile, it is of great significance to promote the study of the structure-activity relationship and mechanism in catalytic reactions.

MX Anti-MXenes from Non-van der Waals Bulks for Electrochemical Applications: The Merit of Metallicity and Active Basal Plane

“…29,30 A typical 2DTMC with good HER activity is the 1H phase of MoS 2 , 31,32 which shows an exchange current density in the magnitude of 10 −7 A/cm 2 and a Gibbs free energy of H adsorption (ΔG *H ) of 0.08 eV. 33,34 However, the density of active sites of 1H MoS 2 is very low, because its catalytic performance is attributed to sulfur atoms only at edge positions rather than those at basal planes. 33 The active sulfur atoms at edges are dicoordinating, while the inert sulfur atoms at basal planes are tricoordinating.…”

Computational design of a switchable heterostructure electrocatalyst based on a two-dimensional ferroelectric In2Se3 material for the hydrogen evolution reaction

“…It is a wellknown design rule that the adsorption energy of catalytic intermediates on the catalytic surface should be moderate (not too high or too low). 23,24 Therefore, boosting the molecular adsorption on the 2D-TMC surface is critical for effective utilisation of the large surface area and capability of atomic/ electronic tuning [25][26][27] of 2D-TMCs for electrocatalyst applications. Researchers have focused on modifying the atomic/ electronic structures of 2D-TMCs to enhance molecular adsorption by exposing edges and introducing atomic defects and metastable metallic phases.…”

Graphene‐doped ZnS nanoparticles synthesized via hydrothermal route for enhanced electrocatalytic performance

“…Different strategies have been taken to unravel such problems. As for example, by increasing the number/activity of active sites or by improving the conductivity of electrocatalysts, electrocatalytic performance can be enhanced 5 …”