Composition and Interface Engineering of Alloyed MoS2xSe2(1-x) Nanotubes for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Activity

Hierarchical MoS2xSe2(1-x) nanotubes assembled from several-layered nanosheets featuring tunable chalcogen compositions, expanded interlayer spacing and carbon modification, are synthesized for enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The chalcogen compositions of the MoS2xSe2(1-x) nanotubes are controllable by adjusting the selenization temperature and duration while the expanded (002) interlayer spacing varies from 0.98 to 0.68 nm. It is found that the MoS2xSe2(1-x) (x = 0.54) nanotubes with expanded interlayer spacing of 0.98 nm exhibit the highest electrocatalytic HER activity with a low onset potential of 101 mV and a Tafel slope of 55 mV dec(-1). The improved electrocatalytic performance is attributed to the chalcogen composition tuning and the interlayer distance expansion to achieve benefitting hydrogen adsorption energy. The present work suggests a potential way to design advanced HER electrocatalysts through modulating their compositions and interlayer distances.