Hybrid phase 1T/2H-MoS2 with controllable 1T concentration and its promoted hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

MoS₂ has been investigated as a low-cost alternative to Pt in the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction. One of the promising methods to further activate MoS₂ is phase engineering. MoS₂ generally exhibits two kinds of crystalline phases: hexagonal 2H phase and octahedral 1T phase. 1T-MoS₂ exhibits much better chemical/physical properties than natural semiconductor 2H-MoS₂. However, 1T-MoS₂ is metastable and its synthesis is still a challenge. Hybrid 1T/2H-MoS₂ has been synthesized under relatively mild conditions, but controlling the 1T/2H ratio is still an issue which has not been discussed in detail. In this study, the synthesis methods of hybrid phase 1T/2H-MoS₂ with controllable 1T concentration are investigated. The electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction is then evaluated for 1T/2H-MoS₂ with different 1T concentrations by performing both experiments and theoretical calculations.