Toward heterostructured transition metal hybrids with highly promoted electrochemical hydrogen evolution

Abstract

It is essential to precisely develop low-cost and sustainable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein, we explore a robust and controllable hydrothermal approach to synthesize defect-rich MoS₂ nanoflakes on exfoliated MoS₂ and WS₂. Such well-designed hetero-structural hybrids of MoS₂/exfoliated MoS₂ and MoS₂/exfoliated WS₂ exhibit dramatically promoted electrochemical activity and high stability. The as-grown MoS₂ nanoflakes hybridized on exfoliated MoS₂ and WS₂ generate abundant active edge sites (rich in basal defects) and unsaturated sulfur atoms, resulting in highly enhanced electrocatalytic performance. This is expected to pave the way towards a significant improvement in transition metal dichalcogenide heterostructures as electrocatalysts.