Atomic-scale intercalation of amorphous MoS2 nanoparticles into N-doped carbon as a highly efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction. (16th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peng, Xinyan; Huang, Chao; Zhang, Biao; Liu, Yunhong
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 45:Number 51(2020)
• Page Start: 27193
• Page End: 27201
• Publication Date: 2020-10-16
• Subjects: Monolayer amorphous MoS2 -- NC nanobelts -- Layer-by-layer -- Electrocatalysts -- Hydrogen evolution reaction; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.07.078
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) properties of the catalysts are significantly dependent on their microscopic structure. Interfacial engineering at the atomic level is the main approach to design high performance of electrocatalysts. Herein, an interfacial modulation strategy is proposed to fabricate monolayer amorphous MoS2 nanoparticles with an average of 3.5 nm in diameter stuck in multilayer N-doped carbon (MoS2 /NC), boosting a high HER activity. The amorphous MoS2 could provide more edge active sites and NC layers endow the fast electron transfer. The XPS, Raman spectra and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the C–S bond in MoS2 /NC provides the fast electron transfer and decreases H binding energy. Benefiting the unique sandwiched structure, the MoS2 /NC boosts a low overpotential of 152.6 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm −2, a small Tafel slope of 60.3 mV dec −1, and outstanding long-term stability with 97.3% retention for over 24 h. This strategy provides a new opportunity and development of interfacial engineering for turning intrinsic catalytic activity for water splitting. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Monolayer amorphous MoS2 nanoparticles embedded in N-doped carbon (MoS2 /NC) nanobelts is synthesized. The MoS2 nanoparticles with 3.5 nm in diameter provide rich active sites. NC layer provides superior conductivity and structural stability. The MoS2 /NC shows better HER properties than pure MoS2 .