ΜοS2 nanoensembles prepared by a simple solvothermal route for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is an emerging research domain aiming to supply a means of renewable energy. Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have a good potential as promising low-cost alternatives to platinum-based catalysts. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanostructures with different shapes are increasingly becoming attractive materials for HER electrocatalysis, thanks to their peculiar physical properties which depend on their composition and morphology. It is still challenging to produce MoS₂ nanomaterials simply and straightforwardly. In this work, MoS₂ nanoensembles and small nanoparticles were fabricated via facile solvothermal protocols. The produced structures display a competitive activity in HER, with the nanoensembles performing better than the isotropic particles. This was attributed to the abundance of their electrochemically active sites and their robust structural stability, which endowed them with remarkable endurability in electroactivity. The nanoensemble morphology ensured the creation of a well-connected array of channels for charge transport, thus favouring an ameliorated electrochemical activity.