MoS2 nanosheets on C3N4 realizing improved electrochemical hydrogen evolution

Improving the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of inexpensive catalysts is central in the area of sustainable energy conversion, yet remains an extraordinary challenge. Here, we firstly construct MoS2 nanosheets vertically anchored on C3N4 for high-efficiency electrochemical HER. The rational structure design endows MoS2 nanosheets with combined advantages of maximally exposed edges and defect-rich structure. Moreover, the hybrid MoS2-C3N4 possesses remarkably improved electrochemically active surface area and enhanced electrical conductivity than MoS2. Therefore, MoS2-C3N4 exhibits robust electrocatalytic HER activity, including low overpotential (158 mV) required to generate the current density of 10 mA cm (2), low Tafel slope (52 mV decade (1)), and high current density (92 mA cm (2) at overpotential of 300 mV). (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.