Novel WS2/Fe0.95S1.05 Hierarchical Nanosphere as a Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Fe0.95S1.05 with high reactivity and stability was incorporated into WS2 nanosheets via a one-step solvothermal method for the first time. The resulted hybrid catalyst has much higher catalytic activity than WS2 and Fe0.95S1.05 alone, and the optimal WS2/Fe0.95S1.05 hybrid catalyst was found by adjusting the feed ratio. The addition of Fe0.95S1.05 was proven to be able to enhance the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of WS2, and vice versa. At the same time, it was found that the catalytic effect of the hybrid catalyst was the best when the feed ratio was W : Fe=2 : 1. In other words, we confirmed that there is a synergistic effect between W- and Fe-based sulfide hybrid catalysts, and validated that the reason for the improved HER performance is the strong interaction between the two in the middle sulfur. WS2/Fe0.95S1.05-2 hybrid catalyst leads to enhanced HER activity, which shows a low overpotential of similar to 0.172 V at 10 mA cm(-2), low Tafel slope of similar to 53.47 mV/decade. This study supplies innovative synthesis of a highly active WS2/Fe0.95S1.05 hybrid catalyst for HER.

Automated summary

Fe0.95S1.05 is successfully incorporated into WS2 nanosheets via a one-step solvothermal method, resulting in a hybrid catalyst with enhanced HER performance. The synergistic effect between W- and Fe-based sulfide hybrid catalysts is confirmed, contributing to the improved catalytic activity.