Synthesis of few-layered MoS2 nanosheet-coated electrospun SnO2 nanotube heterostructures for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

In this work, we report the fabrication of low crystalline, few-layered MoS₂ nanosheet-coated electrospun SnO₂ nanotube (MoS₂/SnO₂) heterostructures with three-dimensional configurations by electrospinning combined with a one-step solvothermal approach. The morphologies and compositions of the as-prepared hybrid nanotubes were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, ICP-AES, BET method, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results show that SnO₂ nanotubes are uniformly covered by sheet-like MoS₂ subunits on both outer and inner surfaces. The electrocatalytic activity of MoS₂/SnO₂ heterostructures towards a hydrogen evolution reaction was examined using linear sweep voltammetry and AC impedance measurements. It is shown that the MoS₂/SnO₂ modified electrode exhibits excellent catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution with low overpotential, a small Tafel slope and high current density.