Synthesis of MoS₂/WS₂ Nanoflower Heterostructures for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Over the last decades, the transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials have been intensively investigated for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Among many TMD catalysts, MoS 2 and WS 2 are the most efficient materials for HER application because of their advantages including earth abundance, facile synthesis, and high catalytic activities. Herein, a simple and scalable process is introduced which was employed to prepare the nanoflower (NF) heterostructure of MoS 2 and WS 2 (MoS 2 /WS 2 NF). The superior catalytic activity of the synthesized MoS 2 /WS 2 NF could be contributed by the unique properties of the heterostructure between WS 2 and MoS 2 materials. Low overpotential (251 mV) at a current density of 10 mA cm −2 , small Tafel slope (61 mV dec −1 ), good conductivity, and superstability are the main properties of the prepared MoS 2 /WS 2 NF. This work presents a new facile novel to prepare efficient catalysts which could be great candidates for HER and electrocatalytic application.