Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction of Amorphous MoSx via Carbon Depositing of TiO2 Nanotube Arrays

Carbon depositing is carried out at high calcination temperature after TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) produced from anodic oxidation of titanium foils is impregnated in glucose aqueous solution. The formed TNAs-C is then loaded with MoSx via electrochemical deposition to prepare MoSx/TNAs-C electrodes. The microstructure, morphology, and chemical composition of the samples are analyzed with XRD, XPS, EDS, SEM, and TEM. LSV, CV, Tafel, and EIS are conducted to provide electrochemical properties. Experimental results illustrate that carbonization of TNAs elevates the electron transport between the electrode and electrolyte, and within the electrode. The electrochemical desorption on the electrode surface is enhanced to promote the catalytic efficiency. Compared to MoSx/TNAs, MoSx/TNAs-C(0.2) offers overpotentials of 109 and 139 mV at current densities of -10 and -20 mA cm(-2), decreases of 33 and 42 mV, respectively. The double layer capacitance C-dl of 43 mF cm(-2), more than double that of MoSx/TNAs (20 mF cm(-2)). The stability test of the electrode shows no apparent decay. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

Carbon deposition at high calcination temperature improves electron transport between electrode and electrolyte, enhancing electrochemical desorption efficiency. MoSx/TNAs-C(0.2) outperforms MoSx/TNAs, showing lower overpotentials and higher double layer capacitance.