WS2 moire superlattices derived from mechanical flexibility for hydrogen evolution reaction

The discovery of moire superlattices (MSLs) opened an era in the research of 'twistronics'. Engineering MSLs and realizing unique emergent properties are key challenges. Herein, we demonstrate an effective synthetic strategy to fabricate MSLs based on mechanical flexibility of WS2 nanobelts by a facile one-step hydrothermal method. Unlike previous MSLs typically created through stacking monolayers together with complicated method, WS2 MSLs reported here could be obtained directly during synthesis of nanobelts driven by the mechanical instability. Emergent properties are found including superior conductivity, special superaerophobicity and superhydrophilicity, and strongly enhanced electro-catalytic activity when we apply 'twistronics' to the field of catalytic hydrogen production. Theoretical calculations show that such excellent catalytic performance could be attributed to a closer to thermoneutral hydrogen adsorption free energy value of twisted bilayers active sites. Our findings provide an exciting opportunity to design advanced WS2 catalysts through moire superlattice engineering based on mechanical flexibility. Expanding the available materials with moire superlattices is interesting but also challenging. Here the authors use a one-step hydrothermal approach to synthesis WS2 moire superlattices with high catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction

Automated summary

The study demonstrates an effective synthetic strategy to fabricate moire superlattices (MSLs) based on the mechanical flexibility of WS2 nanobelts, which exhibit emergent properties and enhanced catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction when applied to 'twistronics'. The findings suggest exciting opportunities for designing advanced WS2 catalysts through moire superlattice engineering.