Issue 9, 2018

Hydrogen evolution catalysis by molybdenum sulfides (MoSx): are thiomolybdate clusters like [Mo3S13]2− suitable active site models?

Abstract

Molybdenum sulfides are highly active hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts based on earth-abundant elements. In their most active forms, amorphous solid-state MoSx show HER activity comparable to noble metals. Due to the amorphous structure of the catalysts, insights into the reaction mechanism, the nature of the catalytic site(s) and catalyst deactivation are difficult to obtain. This perspective summarizes recent developments in our understanding of molybdenum sulfide HER catalysis and explores whether molecular molybdenum sulfido clusters – so-called thiomolybdates – are suitable models to study catalytic processes of Mo–S compounds. Further, the perspective raises fundamental questions relating to the reactivity, degradation and repair of thiomolybdate HER catalysts and discusses whether lessons can be learned from related moieties, in particular the iron molybdenum cofactor (FeMoco) in the enzyme nitrogenase.

Graphical abstract: Hydrogen evolution catalysis by molybdenum sulfides (MoSx): are thiomolybdate clusters like [Mo3S13]2− suitable active site models?

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
02 Apr 2018
Accepted
13 Jun 2018
First published
13 Jun 2018

Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2018,2, 1893-1904

Hydrogen evolution catalysis by molybdenum sulfides (MoSx): are thiomolybdate clusters like [Mo3S13]2− suitable active site models?

M. Grutza, A. Rajagopal, C. Streb and P. Kurz, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2018, 2, 1893 DOI: 10.1039/C8SE00155C

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