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

Abstract

The layered molybdenum chalcogenide MoS 2 has attracted wide attention due to its potential electrochemical applications. Based on its unique physical and chemical properties, numerous advances have shown that nanostructured MoS 2 , with the advantages of low cost and outstanding properties, is a promising candidate for environmentally benign energy conversion and storage (ECS) devices.Nowadays, in order to lessen the reliance on fossil fuels, the production of hydrogen from water splitting has become an important issue. Hence, developing catalysts composed of earth-abundant elements that possess activities comparable to those of noble metals is of great urgency. According to DFT calculations in terms of HER free-energy diagrams, MoS 2 could be used as an effective substitute for noble metals. Meanwhile, MoS 2 with various structures has also been applied in the field of energy storage, including batteries and supercapacitors. Additionally, due to their layer-dependent electrical properties, MoS 2 -based electrochemical devices have been applied as sensors for a variety of chemicals.In this review, we summarize recent advances in the development of MoS 2 with high-performance in various electrochemical domains, and recent progress in discovering the mechanisms underlying the enhanced activity. Moreover, we summarize the critical obstacles facing MoS 2 , and discuss strategies for further improving its activity. Lastly, we offer some suggestions on the pathways toward achieving high performance competitive with noble metal counterparts, and perspectives on practical applications of MoS 2 in the future. Broader contextThe development of inexhaustible and clean energy technologies has far-reaching benefits for our society. Owing to its high anisotropy and unique crystal structure, the attractive properties of 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) can be utilized in a variety of energy conversion and storage (ECS) applications. Therefore, understanding how these properties can be tuned and the tunable properties can be utilized becomes increasingly important. In this review, we first summarize recent synthetic strategies toward preparation of MoS 2 with different structures, and its role in several important renewable energy technologies. We then discuss the relationship between the tuned properties and the performance of MoS 2 in different applications, emerging trends during their development, and challenges facing them, offering our perspectives on how to effectively advance the development of MoS 2 -based devices.

N-doped WS2 nanosheets: a high-performance electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction

“…The linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) curves on the reversible hydrogen electrode scale of the samples are shown in Figure 5a. It can be seen that the Pt/C electrode is highly active toward the HER as previous reports [7][8][9][10] . Besides, result indicates sample N-WS2-Ar drives 15 100 mA/cm 2 at overpotential of 226 mV.…”

Hierarchical MoS2 microspheres prepared through a zinc ion-assisted hydrothermal route as an electrochemical supercapacitor electrode

“…[15][16][17] MoS 2 can store charge based on the ions intercalation into the layers of MoS 2 accompanied by a faradaic charge-transfer. This mechanism can be termed as intercalation pseudocapacitance.…”

Interlayer Nanoarchitectonics of Two‐Dimensional Transition‐Metal Dichalcogenides Nanosheets for Energy Storage and Conversion Applications

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Owing to their high anisotropy and unique crystal structures, MX 2 can be utilized in a variety of energy conversion and storage applications, including water splitting cells, rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, as well as various electronic and optoelectronic devices, etc. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Nanoengineering (morphology, size, number of layers, edges, defects), [12][13][14][15][16][17] phase conversion, [18][19][20][21][22][23] and composition tuning (alloying, doping with foreign transition metal), [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] represent the hot research areas in the recent past, aiming at modulation of the material properties and improvement of the device performances. Such impressive progress benefits from the success in synthesizing nanostructured MX 2 with precisely controlled parameters including edge density and crystalline phase.…”