Issue 23, 2015

Layer-controllable WS2-reduced graphene oxide hybrid nanosheets with high electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution

Abstract

In this study, an efficient poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP)-assisted hydrothermal method for the in situ growth of WS2 nanosheets with layer-controllability on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is reported. The number of layers (from a monolayer to ∼25 layers) of the exfoliated WS2 can be accurately controlled by adjusting the amount of PVP. The layer structure and the morphology of the as-prepared hybrids are confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission microscopy. The X-ray diffraction, Raman, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy of the obtained WS2–rGO hybrid nanosheets indicate highly crystallized structures, a clear Raman shift and a stoichiometry, which is dependent on the number of layers. Furthermore, these highly active and durable catalysts exhibit an electrocatalytic current density of 10 mA cm−2 at a small hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) overpotential (−170 mV) and a Tafel slope of 52 mV dec−1 with an excellent electrocatalytic stability (after 6 months storage).

Graphical abstract: Layer-controllable WS2-reduced graphene oxide hybrid nanosheets with high electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
25 Mar 2015
Accepted
05 May 2015
First published
07 May 2015

Nanoscale, 2015,7, 10391-10397

Layer-controllable WS2-reduced graphene oxide hybrid nanosheets with high electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution

J. Zhang, Q. Wang, L. Wang, X. Li and W. Huang, Nanoscale, 2015, 7, 10391 DOI: 10.1039/C5NR01896J

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