Probing nanostructure MoS2 as catalyst in light activated and electro activated hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a smart compound among Transition Metal DiChalcogenides (TMDC). Properties like tuneable bandwidth, high electrical conductivity, large number of active edge sites, low corrosion etc., help MoS2 nanostructures to participate in different energy applications. Catalytic activity in water splitting to produce hydrogen molecules is such a prominent and confirmed application. To enhance the kinetics of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) different mechanisms and different types of catalysts can be used depends upon the chosen reaction environment. Each type of catalyst plays different role in hydrogen evolution. MoS2 nanostructure is a promising efficient compound with distinguished catalytic behavior as electrocatalyst, co-catalyst of photocatalyst and photoelectrocatalyst. Electrocatalyst participate in electrolysis of water and other type of catalysts participate in artificial photolysis of water. Different phases, shapes and morphologies of MoS2 nanostructure behaves differently in catalysis. Here a review on the role of MoS2 as each type of catalyst is done. Their depending parameters like phase, morphology, shape, defects, doping, heterostructures etc. and HER characteristics like overpotential, Tafel slope, charge transfer resistance, double layer capacitance, durability, hydrogen evolution rate and quantum yield are reviewed and summarized here.