Vertically aligned MoS2 on Ti3C2 (MXene) as an improved HER catalyst

We have demonstrated the microwave-assisted growth of vertically aligned interlayer expanded MoS2 on conductive two-dimensional Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets (MoS2 perpendicular to Ti3C2) and investigated the produced material as an electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). MoS2 perpendicular to Ti3C2 offers a unique inorganic hybrid structure that allows increased exposure of catalytically active edge sites of MoS2, compared to pure MoS2 with a platelet-like morphology. The vertically aligned few-layer MoS2 sheets have an expanded interlayer spacing of 9.4 angstrom. The MoS2 perpendicular to Ti3C2 catalyst exhibited a low onset potential (-95 mV vs. RHE) for the HER and a low Tafel slope (approximate to 40 mV dec(-1)). This catalyst maintained a steady catalytic activity for the HER for over 20 hours.