Surface Modulation of Hierarchical MoS₂ Nanosheets by Ni Single Atoms for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Abstract

Surface modulation at the atomic level has been an important approach for tuning surface chemistry and boosting the catalytic performance. Here, we demonstrate a surface modulation strategy through the decoration of isolated Ni atoms onto the basal plane of hierarchical MoS2 nanosheets supported on multichannel carbon nanofibers for boosted hydrogen evolution activity. X-ray absorption fine structure investigation and density functional theory (DFT) calculation reveal that the MoS2 surface decorated with isolated Ni atoms displays highly strengthened H binding. Benefiting from the unique tubular structure and basal plane modulation, the newly developed MoS2 catalyst exhibits excellent hydrogen evolution activity and stability. This single-atom modification strategy opens up new avenues for tuning the intrinsic catalytic activity towards electrocatalytic water splitting and other energy-related processes.

Modulating Active Hydrogen Supply and O2 Adsorption: Sulfur Vacancy Matters for Boosting H2O2 Photosynthesis Performance

“…Figure 2d-f present the wavelet transform (WT) in the Ni K-edge EXAFS. Unlike Ni foil with Ni─Ni bond (Figure 2d), the WT contour plots of both Ni-ZnS and Ni-ZnS-Sv (Figure 2e,f) show one intensity maximum of Ni─S coordination at around 5.89 Å −1 , [46] consistent with the observations in EXAFS spectra.…”

Hierarchical SiC–Graphene Composite Aerogel-Supported Ni–Mo–S Nanosheets for Efficient pH-Universal Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

“…The current density, LSV curve, and the SEM image after cycles (Figures f and S10) demonstrate the durability of Ni–Mo–S@SiCnw–RGO. As shown in Tables S1 and S2, the electrocatalytic properties of Ni–Mo–S@SiCnw–RGO under acidic and alkaline conditions are comparable with the electrocatalytic materials reported recently. ,,− …”

Synergistic Effects of Tungsten Doping and Sulfur Vacancies in MoS2 on Enhancement of Hydrogen Evolution

“…It is a remarkable fact that rich defects have been found in the lattice fringes with typical defects including cracks and basal misalignment. Indeed, it has been found that the structure with defects and the disordered atomic arrangement may lead to additional edges as a result of enhancing the catalytic performance in the HER process. ,− A lattice spacing of 0.27 nm exhibited in Figure f is consistent with the d spacing of the (100) plane . Furthermore, the high density defects exhibited in the sulfur atom positions can be clearly visualized as reported in previous literature studies. , The elemental mapping images in Figure g–j obviously demonstrate that Mo, W, and S elements are homogeneously distributed across the whole nanosheets rather than phase-separated.…”

“…21,43−45 A lattice spacing of 0.27 nm exhibited in Figure 2f is consistent with the d spacing of the (100) plane. 12 Furthermore, the high density defects exhibited in the sulfur atom positions can be clearly visualized as reported in previous literature studies. 26,46 The elemental mapping images in Figure 2g−j obviously demonstrate that Mo, W, and S elements are homogeneously distributed across the whole nanosheets rather than phase-separated.…”