Few-layer MoS2 and Pt nanoparticles Co-anchored on MWCNTs for efficient hydrogen evolution over a wide pH range

Considering the practical use of electrochemical water splitting, it is important to construct a highly efficient and stable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst over a wide pH range. Herein, we develop an efficient strategy to enhance the electrochemical activity of few-layer MoS2 and Pt nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNTs). The as-prepared Pt-MoS2/MWCNTs provides an excellent HER electrocatalytic activity with low overpotentials at -10 mA cm(-2) over a wide pH range, namely, 20 mV in 0.5 M H2SO4, 92 mV in 1.0 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS), and 75 mV in 1.0 M KOH, respectively. In addition, Pt-MoS2/MWCNTs deliver the highest mass activity at the overpotential of 0.05 V, which is 8.1, 2.3, and 26.5 times higher than that of commercial 20 wt% Pt/C in acidic, neutral and alkaline media, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the co-existence of MoS2 and Pt NPs facilitated the water dissociation reaction and hydrogen generation, thereby enhancing the activity of HER. This work provides a potential strategy to construct high-performance electrocatalysts for HER over the entire pH range. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.