Exploring 1T/2H MoS2 quantum dots modified 2D CoPx nanosheets for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

The exploration of multiphases and 0D/2D heterojunction in transition metal phosphides (TMPs) and transition metal sulfides (TMDs) is of major interest for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, a novel combination route where 0D mixed-phased 1T/2H molybdenum sulfide quantum dots (MoS₂ QDs) are uniformly anchored on the 2D CoP_x nanosheets is developed. MoS₂ QDs and CoP_x were prepared via hydrothermal method and mixed with different ratios (Mo:Co ratios of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2) and annealed under different temperatures to modulate their application in acidic HER processes. Specifically, 2Mo/1Co exhibited advanced performance for HER in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution and required 14 mV to deliver 10 mA cm^-2 and revealed a descended Tafel slope of 75.42 mV dec^-1 with 240 h stability except obvious deactivation. The successful design and construction of 0D/2D mixed-dimensional materials would broaden the application of MoS₂ and CoP_x for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution.