A solvent-free strategy for synthesizing WS2/WC-embedded N, S Co-doped mesoporous carbon as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution

Abstract

This study successfully developed a simple one-step solid-phase synthesis strategy for preparing nitrogen and sulfur co-doped mesoporous carbon-supported tungsten carbide composite electrocatalysts. The core innovation of this method lies in its efficiency and controllability. Through a single solid-phase reaction, it simultaneously achieved doping of the carbon matrix, formation of the pore structure, and in situ embedding of WC nanocrystals, significantly simplifying the complex process of traditional multi-step synthesis. The WC nanocrystals were confined within the nitrogen and sulfur co-doped mesoporous carbon framework. The synergistic effect of multi-element doping in WC, with its platinum-like electronic properties, provided the structural basis for the excellent intrinsic hydrogen evolution activity of this material. Key electrochemical performance results confirmed the above structural advantages: in an acidic medium, the optimized catalyst (2MF-2S-1W) only required an overpotential of 194 mV to drive a hydrogen evolution current of 10 mA cm⁻², with a rapid kinetic process and a Tafel slope as low as 81.24 mV dec⁻¹. This performance can be comparable to commercial platinum–carbon catalysts, highlighting its significant application potential as a highly efficient and low-cost alternative to precious metal catalysts.