Easy incorporation of single-walled carbon nanotubes into two-dimensional MoS₂ for high-performance hydrogen evolution

Nanotechnology. 2014 Nov 21;25(46):465401. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/25/46/465401. Epub 2014 Oct 31.

Abstract

The limited intrinsic conductivity of two-dimensional (2D) MoS₂ nanosheets compromises its high electrocatalytic performance. In this work, we develop a facile method of simply dispersing MoS₂ nanosheets into a water-isopropanol solution of high-conducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) for preparation of MoS₂/SWCNT composites. The SWCNTs in the hybrid system serve as effective electron transport channels among 2D MoS₂ nanosheets and facilitate charge transfer at the catalyst-electrolyte interface. We investigated the influence of SWCNTs ratios on the catalytic activities and obtained a high-performance hybrid catalyst with a low Tafel slope of 40.82 mV/decade and prominent electrochemical durability. The demonstration of our hybrid electrocatalytic system, with its scalable capacity for facile preparation, provides a new pathway to enhance HER activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Disulfides / chemistry*
  • Electrochemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen / chemistry*
  • Molybdenum / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*

Substances

  • Disulfides
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Hydrogen
  • Molybdenum
  • molybdenum disulfide