One Dimensional MoS₂/MoP Heterostructures for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Transition metal chalcogenides and transition metal phosphides have shown great potential in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) applications. Forming heterostructure is an effective way to enhance the electrocatalytic performance. In this paper, we report the facile synthesis of one dimensional MoS₂/MoP heterostructures by using the electrospinning, phosphating and subsequent hydrothermal process. The heterostructures were confirmed by the high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) characterization. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) confirmed the composition and structure of the MoS₂/MoP heterostructures. With larger specific surface area and heterointerface between MoS₂ and MoP, more electrocatalytic active sites and favorable synergistic effect existed in the one dimensional MoS₂/MoP heterostructures. The one dimensional MoS₂/MoP heterostructures exhibit an enhanced HER performance with a low overpotential of 113 mV at 10 mA/cm² and a small Tafel slope of 62 mV/dec in 0.5 M H₂SO₄. It is a potential alternative for expensive noble metals in the future.