High-quality vanadium-doped MoS2 ultrathin nanosheets as an efficient ORR catalyst

Abstract

For alkaline fuel cell cathode reactions, it is crucial to develop new catalysts with excellent catalytic performance. Two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide nanosheets have proven to be effective electrocatalysts, especially in hydrogen evolution reactions. However, MoS₂ has been less researched as a potential electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The introduction of vanadium atoms by chemical doping significantly increases the ORR activity of the MoS₂ nanosheets, which is greatly improved compared to the bulk MoS₂. The vanadium heteroatoms can not only change the electrical properties and band structure of the pristine materials, but also provide a rich active site for the catalysis.