Rational design of MoSe2-NiSe@carbon heteronanostructures for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution in both acidic and alkaline media

The development of hydrogen evolution catalysts from earth-abundant elements with highly active and stable activity are crucial for the promotion of more energy and cost-efficient hydrogen production. Herein, a facile one-step hydrothermal approach is proposed to fabricate 3D hierarchical microcages composed of MoSe2-NiSe@carbon nanosheets for the efficient electro-catalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by water hydrolysis. The heterostrucutres were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The nanohybrids of MoSe2-NiSe are constructed by in situ combination of hexagonal NiSe and MoSe2, where the high quality vertical heterostructure can benefit the electrons transfer from metallic NiSe to the MoSe2 matrix, accomplishing the electronic modulation of MoSe2-NiSe@carbon catalysts for robust electrocatalytic performance. The optimal MoSe2NiSe@carbon exhibits excellent HER catalytic performance and superior durability in both acidic and alkaline medium. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.