Vertically aligned W(Mo)S2/N-W(Mo)C-based light-assisted electrocatalysis for hydrogen evolution in acidic solutions

The development of non-noble-metal hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts holds great promises for a sustainable energy system. Here, a hybrid W(Mo)S-2/N-W(Mo)C nanosheet with array structures was reported for an efficient light-assisted hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts in acidic solutions. The resulting vertically aligned W(Mo)S-2/N-W(Mo)C was supported on a conductive carbon fiber paper, which can be produced through annealing W(Mo)S-2 nanosheets by simultaneous carbonization and N-doping in Ar/H-2 atmosphere. This optimized WS2/N-WC and MoS2/N-MoC electrode exhibits remarkable light-assisted electrocatalysis activity with overpotentials of 0.120 and 0.122 V at 10 mA.cm(-1) in acidic solutions, respectively. Such high hydrogen evolution activities should be attributed to the electrocatalytic synergistic effects of the abundant active sites existing in different phase boundaries and the absorption for ultraviolet-visible light. This study shows that synthesis of low-cost and highly active W(Mo)S-2-based hydrogen evolution electrocatalyst opens up a route toward the development of scalable production of hydrogen fuels.

Automated summary

A hybrid W(Mo)S-2/N-W(Mo)C nanosheet was developed as an efficient light-assisted hydrogen evolution electrocatalyst in acidic solutions. The vertically aligned structure of W(Mo)S-2/N-W(Mo)C was supported on a conductive carbon fiber paper through annealing and N-doping. The optimized WS2/N-WC and MoS2/N-MoC electrodes exhibited remarkable light-assisted electrocatalysis activity, with overpotentials of 0.120 V and 0.122 V at 10 mA.cm(-1) in acidic solutions, respectively. The high hydrogen evolution activities were attributed to the electrocatalytic synergistic effects of abundant active sites at different phase boundaries and the absorption of ultraviolet-visible light.