Synthesis of sulfur-rich MoS2 nanoflowers for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction performance

Abstract

Search and design of cost-effective but high efficient functional catalysts, alternatives to noble metals, are essential for hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein, we develop the MoS2 nanoflowers with 210–470 nm in diameter constructed by nanosheets using a facile hydrothermal method. The MoS2 nanoflowers obtained expose greater numbers of unsaturated S atoms on the edge sites and exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activities in acidic medium. When serving in hydrogen evolution reaction, MoS2 nanoflowers show enhanced catalytic activity with the onset potential of 117 mV and the required potential of 255 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA/cm2, which is superior to commercial MoS2 under the same conditions. Meanwhile, the MoS2 nanoflowers also show excellent catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction after 1000 cycles. Moreover, the higher stability without apparent activity loss and long-term durability for 5 h are also observed. Overall, the MoS2 nanoflowers exhibit excellent activity toward hydrogen evolution reaction and are a promising functional catalyst in practical application.