MoS2 nanotubes loaded with TiO2 nanoparticles for enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Efficient and stable non-precious metal catalysts composed of earth-abundant elements are crucial to the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in high-energy conversion efficiency. Herein, TiO₂/MoS₂-NTs catalyst, in which the MoS₂ nanotubes were loaded with TiO₂ nanoparticles, have been synthesized via a facile solvothermal and hydrothermal method. The as-prepared TiO₂/MoS₂-NTs electrocatalyst demonstrated enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance compared with MoS₂-NTs. Electrochemical measurements reveal the overpotential and Tafel slope of as-prepared TiO₂/MoS₂-NTs are −0.21 V and 42 mV dec⁻¹. The HER improvement is proposed to be attributed to the increased edge sites results from the interfaces and synergic effect between TiO₂ nanoparticles and MoS₂ nanotubes.