A non-two-dimensional van der Waals InSe semispherical array grown by vapor–liquid–solid method for hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials with layer-number dependent properties are promising candidates for next-generation noble-metal-free electrocatalytic reaction. However, the main group metal chalcogenides (MMCs) used for this purpose are rarely explored. Herein, we report the controlled growth of indium selenide (InSe) with a novel morphology (semispherical array) on a silicon substrate and its application in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The formation of the spherical InSe is explained with a vapor-liquid-solid growth mechanism, in which the distribution and size of the spheres could be facilely tuned by the reaction parameters. The InSe semispherical array was demonstrated as more efficient catalyst for HER than the flake-like 2D InSe counterparts, originating from the fully exposed InSe spherical surface with abundant adsorbing sites and the high crystalline quality for electron transport. This work provides a controlled synthesis way of the layered InSe with a distinct spherical morphology used for the electrocatalysis applications and could be extended to other main group metal chalcogenides.