Graphene confined MoS2 particles for accelerated electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2019-03, Vol.44 (16), p.8070-8078
• Main Authors: Li, Yinchang, He, Bing, Liu, Xueqin, Hu, Xiaoqin, Huang, Jing, Ye, Siqin, Shu, Zhu, Wang, Yang, Li, Zhen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Confined; Graphene; Hydrogen evolution; MoS2
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.02.089

MoS2 is a promising noble-metal-free electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Extensive trials have been carried out to increase its low electrical conductivity and insufficient active sites. Here, a remarkable electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution is developed based on the in-situ preparation of MoS2 confined in graphene nanosheets. Graphene effectively controls the growth of MoS2 and immensely increases the conductivity and structural stability of the composite materials. Remarkably, because of the plentiful active sites, sufficient electrical contact and transport, MoS2 particles confined in graphene nanosheets exhibit an onset overpotential as small as 32 mV, an overpotential approaching 132 mV at 10 mA cm−2, and a low Tafel slope of 45 mV dec−1. This work presents a reasonable architecture for practical applications in efficient electrocatalytic H2 generation. MoS2 particles confined in graphene nanosheets (MoS2@G) is developed via in-situ hydrothermal strategy, exhibiting efficient electrocatalytic activity for the HER with a low onset overpotential of 32 mV and a Tafel slope of 45 mV dec−1. [Display omitted] •Graphene confined downsized MoS2 is facilely prepared.•The composites exhibit abundant HER active sites and high conductivity.•The overpotential of MoS2@G is only 32 mV with a Tafel slop of 45 mV dec−1.