MoS2 Nanostructures for Solar Hydrogen Generation via Membraneless Electrochemical Water Splitting

Storing and delivering green hydrogen generated by solar energy have the potential to significantly supplement and disburse the share of promising but intermittent renewable energy. In this scenario, robust materials capable of delivering solar-driven electrochemical water splitting for hydrogen generation provide an interesting protocol that is applicable to all sectors of energy. Electrochemical water splitting is the conventional and most prevalent technique for hydrogen generation, which utilizes platinum-based materials for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, these platinum-based noble metal catalysts possess poor cyclic stability, limiting their commercial application for economical hydrogen generation. There-fore, the development of efficient non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts is urgently needed to produce cost-competitive hydrogen energy. Several kinds of non-noble metal-based heterogeneous electrocatalysts, including carbides, sulfides, selenides, oxides, and phosphides, have been developed and studied. The unique physicochemical properties of carbonaceous materials make them promising candidates to support catalysts. In this paper, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanomaterial catalysts have been synthesized, deposited on carbon fiber (CF)-based materials, and then used for solar hydrogen generation by membraneless electrochemical water splitting. At 430 W/m2 irradiation and 35 degrees C working temperature, the solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency is found to be 2.46%.

Automated summary

Storing and delivering green hydrogen generated by solar energy is important for supplementing intermittent renewable energy. The development of non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts is needed for cost-competitive hydrogen generation. In this study, molybdenum disulfide nanomaterial catalysts were synthesized and used for solar-driven electrochemical water splitting.