Enhanced electrocatalysis of WSe2 nanosheets by partial oxidation for hydrogen generation. (19th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pataniya, Pratik M.; Yang, Xianguang; Li, Baojun; Kannichankandy, Drishya; Sumesh, C. K.
• Is Part Of: International journal of energy research. Volume 46:Number 9(2022)
• Page Start: 12073
• Page End: 12081
• Publication Date: 2022-04-19
• Subjects: air thermal annealing -- hydrogen evolution reaction -- non‐metallic Plasmonic material -- surface plasmon resonances -- WSe2/WO3−x; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Research -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1002/er.7971
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-907X

Abstract

Summary: Pristine WSe2 based electrocatalyst shows poor reaction kinetics in electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction due to a lack of active atomic sites and an inert basal plane. Herein, we report an active system of non‐metallic plasmonic WSe2 /WO3−x, supported by highly conductive and eco‐friendly Ag/cellulose paper electrodes. An air thermal annealing technique is used to enrich the p‐WO3−x dopants in WSe2, which is significant for substantially improving electrocatalytic behaviour as well as photo responsive performance in the near‐infrared (NIR) region. The WSe2 /WO3−x dramatically decreases the overpotential of HER from −330 to −150 mV (at 10 mA/cm 2 ) owing to homo doping and generation of Se‐vacancies. Surface plasmons resonances of p‐WO3−x give the contributions to injection of photogenerated electrons and overpotential as low as −120 mV can be achieved under the illumination of NIR light. These results represent significant advances in light‐enhanced electrocatalysis and would provide potential applications for commercial hydrogen generation. Novelty Statement: Novel WSe2 /WO3−X hybrid nanosheets‐based electrocatalysts exhibit the light‐enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction. WO3−X enriched WSe2 nanosheets exhibit rapid electrochemical charge transport due to p‐homodoping and Se‐vacancies. Overall, the 3D‐porous structure of cellulose paper and 2D‐ WSe2 /WO3−X leads the promising optimisation. Abstract : Novel WSe2 /WO3−X hybrid nanosheets‐based electrocatalysts exhibit the light‐enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction. WO3−X enriched WSe2 nanosheets exhibit rapid electrochemical charge transport due to p‐homodoping and Se‐vacancies. Overall, the 3D‐porous structure of cellulose paper and 2D‐ WSe2 /WO3−X leads the promising optimisation.