Recent advances in molybdenum diselenide-based electrocatalysts: preparation and application in the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Molybdenum diselenide (MoSe₂), as a membrane of the representative 2D family, has been extensively used as an electrocatalyst for sustainable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to its unique physicochemical properties as well as morphological and structural effects. Early reviews have summarized the applications of molybdenum dichalcogenides in photocatalysis and energy conversion and storage (batteries, supercapacitors, etc.). In this review, we highlight the recent advances in the preparation of single MoSe₂, (non)metal-doped MoSe₂, transition metal complex-integrated MoSe₂ heterojunction structure, and carbon-MoSe₂-based hybrid composite for enhancing HER performance through their morphological and structural features. Based on the structural engineering of MoSe₂-based materials, a comprehensive catalytic mechanism for improved HER activity is introduced, which includes the activation process of the catalyst, active sites, and surface reconstruction during HER. In addition, factors impacting the HER performance and structure–performance correlations among morphology, structure, and catalytic property are addressed. Finally, key issues that need to be solved, challenges presently confronted, as well as prospects in the future are explored. This review provides deep insights into the preparation of MoSe₂-based electrocatalysts with various morphologies and structures and a clear understandable mechanism of MoSe₂-based composite-catalyzed HER, which can help readers to further develop and expand the applications of transition metal dichalcogenide-based materials in renewable energy fields.