Recent progress of molybdenum disulfide/carbon composites for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction

As a star two-dimensional material, molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) shows a good potential in the field of electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to its low price, special physicochemical properties and a small theoretical Gibbs free energy of hydrogen adsorption. However, some disadvantages such as poor electroconductivity and inert basal planes hinder its further improvement of HER activity. Therefore, adopting carbon materials with good electrical conductivity and large specific surface area to composite with MoS₂ is one of the popular strategies to improve the electrical conductivity and increase the exposure of catalytically active sites for constructing highly efficient MoS₂-based electrocatalysts. Herein, in this review, we firstly gave a brief introduction of the MoS₂ structure and the basic HER principle. Then, the synthesis method, catalytic performance and reaction mechanism of utilizing different carbon materials to improve the HER activity of MoS₂ were summarized in detail. Finally, the existing problems and future opportunities for preparing highly active and low cost electrocatalysts assisted by carbon materials are prospected.