Issue 29, 2023

Edge-dominated hydrogen evolution reactions in ultra-narrow MoS2 nanoribbon arrays

Abstract

Future energy generation and storage requirements emphasize the importance of high-performance electrocatalysis. MoS2 edges exhibit ideal energetics for hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) if challenges in their kinetics are addressed. Herein, we investigate the emergence of edge-dominated electrochemical reaction kinetics in ultra-narrow MoS2 nanoribbons. A templated subtractive patterning process (TSPP) served as a powerful platform that yields large arrays of MoS2 nanoribbons. Nanoribbons with widths below 30 nm exhibit significantly increased reaction kinetics, as evidenced by a ∼200-fold enhanced turn-over frequency, an 18-fold increased exchange current density, and a 38% decreased Tafel slope. These improvements are due to increased charge transfer efficiency from the basal plane toward the edge sites. Photo-electrocatalytic measurements and carrier transport simulations reveal the impact of suppressed band bending in nanoribbons below the depletion width toward achieving edge-dominated HER. Our results demonstrate the potential of confinement in electrocatalysis and provide a universal route toward nanoribbon-enhanced electrochemistry.

Graphical abstract: Edge-dominated hydrogen evolution reactions in ultra-narrow MoS2 nanoribbon arrays

  • This article is part of the themed collection: #MyFirstJMCA

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 Mar 2023
Accepted
18 Jun 2023
First published
19 Jun 2023

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2023,11, 15802-15810

Edge-dominated hydrogen evolution reactions in ultra-narrow MoS2 nanoribbon arrays

D. Chen, J. Muthu, X. Guo, H. Chin, Y. Lin, G. Haider, C. Ting, M. Kalbáč, M. Hofmann and Y. Hsieh, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2023, 11, 15802 DOI: 10.1039/D3TA01573D

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