Abstract
1T-phase molybdenum disulfide is supposed to be one of the non-precious metal-based electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction with the highest potential. Herein, 1T-MoS2 nanosheets were anchored on N-doped carbon nanotubes by a simple hydrothermal process with the assistance of urea promotion transition of the 1T phase. Based on the 1T-MoS2 nanosheets anchored on the N-doped carbon nanotubes structures, 1T-MoS2 nanosheets can be said to have highly exposed active sites from edges and the basal plane, and the dopant N in carbon nanotubes can promote electron transfer between N-doped carbon nanotubes and 1T-MoS2 nanosheets. With the synergistic effects of this structure, the excellent 1T-MoS2/ N-doped carbon nanotubes catalyst has a small overpotential of 150 mV at 10 mA cm−2, a relatively low Tafel slope of 63 mV dec−1, and superior stability. This work proposes a new strategy to design high-performance hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts.
Highlights
The worsening environmental pollution consequences resulting from increasing demands of using traditional fossil fuels have encouraged humans to develop clean and renewable energy technologies to gradually replace the traditional fossil fuels [1,2,3]
The theoretical calculations indicate that introducing nitrogen into carbon supports could enhance the catalytic activity and the electron transport at the MoS2+x /N-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) interface and improve catalyst adhesion and charge transfer kinetics [32,33]
After 6 mg NCNTs black powder was added into the above homogeneous solution and sonicated for 30 min, the obtained homogeneous solution was transferred to a 100-milliliter Teflon-lined autoclave and maintained at 200 ◦ C for 18 h
Summary
The worsening environmental pollution consequences resulting from increasing demands of using traditional fossil fuels have encouraged humans to develop clean and renewable energy technologies to gradually replace the traditional fossil fuels [1,2,3]. When 1T-MoS2 nanosheets, nanoparticles, or other nanostructures are grown on carbon supports, abundant active sites on both the basal plane and edges can be preferentially exposed and increase the electron conduction rate during the HER process. The theoretical calculations indicate that introducing nitrogen into carbon supports could enhance the catalytic activity and the electron transport at the MoS2+x /N-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) interface and improve catalyst adhesion and charge transfer kinetics [32,33]. The 1T-MoS2 nanosheets were decorated on the surface of the NCNTs uniformly, which could expose sufficient active sites and bring the active sites into full contact with electrolytes This configuration can make 1T-MoS2 nanosheets accept external electrons and ensures a highly efficient catalytic reaction. The composites of 1T-MoS2 /NCNTs showed excellent HER performance, including a low overpotential of 150 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 , low Tafel slope of 63 mV dec−1 , and great stability after 10 h
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