2D nanosheet molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) modified electrodes explored towards the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors
Rowley-Neale, Samuel J.Brownson, Dale A. C.
Smith, Graham C.
Satwell, David A. G.
Kelly, Peter J.
Banks, Craig E.
Affiliation
Manchester Metropolitan University; University of ChesterPublication Date
2015-10-06
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We explore the use of two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 nanosheets as an electro-catalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER). Using four commonly employed commercially available carbon based electrode support materials, namely edge plane pyrolytic graphite (EPPG), glassy carbon (GC), boron-doped diamond (BDD) and screen-printed graphite electrodes (SPE), we critically evaluate the reported electro-catalytic performance of unmodified and MoS2 modified electrodes towards the HER. Surprisingly, current literature focuses almost exclusively on the use of GC as an underling support electrode upon which HER materials are immobilised. 2D MoS2 nanosheet modified electrodes are found to exhibit a coverage dependant electrocatalytic effect towards the HER. Modification of the supporting electrode surface with an optimal mass of 2D MoS2 nanosheets results in a lowering of the HER onset potential by ca. 0.33, 0.57, 0.29 and 0.31 V at EPPG, GC, SPE and BDD electrodes compared to their unmodified counterparts respectively. The lowering of the HER onset potential is associated with each supporting electrodes individual electron transfer kinetics/properties. The effect of MoS2 coverage is also explored. We reveal that its ability to catalyse the HER is dependent on the mass deposited until a critical mass of 2D MoS2 nanosheets is achieved, after which its electrocatalytic benefits and/or surface stability curtail. The active surface site density and turn over frequency for the 2D MoS2 nanosheets is determined, characterised and found to be dependent on both the coverage of 2D MoS2 nanosheets and the underlying/supporting substrate. This work is essential for those designing, fabricating and consequently electrochemically testing 2D nanosheet materials for the HER.Citation
Rowley-Neale, S. J., Brownson, D. A. C., Smith, G. C., Sawtell, D. A. G., Kelly, P. J., & Banks, C. E. (2015). 2D nanosheet molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) modified electrodes explored towards the hydrogen evolution reaction. Nanoscale, 7(43), 18152-18168. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5NR05164APublisher
Royal Society of ChemistryJournal
NanoscaleAdditional Links
http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2015/nr/c5nr05164aType
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
2040-3364EISSN
2040-3372ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1039/c5nr05164a
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