The induced effect of chemical and photo-assisted deposition of molybdenum sulfide on carbon towards the hydrogen evolution reaction

• Published in: Journal of electroanalytical chemistry (Lausanne, Switzerland) Vol. 874; p. 114459
• Main Authors: Campos-Roldán, C.A., Gonzalez-Huerta, R.G., Lartundo-Rojas, L., Del Angel, P., Alonso-Vante, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-10-2020; Elsevier Science Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: Carbon; Carbon nanostructures; Chemical Sciences; Hydrogen evolution reaction; Hydrogen evolution reactions; Molybdenum; Molybdenum disulfide; MoS2; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Strong interactions (field theory); Support interaction; Ultraviolet radiation; Support interaction; Hydrogen evolution reaction; Carbon nanostructures; MoS2
• ISSN: 1572-6657; 1873-2569
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2020.114459

We report on a favorable synergy effect generated between molybdenum disulfide and different carbon supports. While MoSx species were generated by hydrolysis of [MoS4]2− in water, UV-light was employed to assist the MoS2 synthesis. It was found that the UV-assisted approach, combined with carbon supports properties, boosted the HER activity in acid solution. The synergy phenomenon between MoS2 and carbon supports was centered on sp3-like (C-defects) and sp2 domains of carbon of graphite powder (PG), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) or carbon Vulcan-XC-72 (C). The HER electrochemical kinetics on MoS2/CNT and MoS2/C proceeded via the Volmer-Heyrovsky mechanism. The stability and kinetic performance were attributed to the strong interaction between MoS2 and the surface nature of the carbon support.
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•Photochemical deposition of MoS2 confers a boosting effect on the HER performance.•Carbon-supported MoS2 nanostructures, with high S-edge density, were obtained by a UV-photo-assisted technique.•The carbon surface nature modulates the electrocatalytic performance of MoS2 nanostructures.•The enhanced HER performance, in acid medium, is associated to the MoS2-C interaction.