Atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Hydrogen is a sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel produced by electrolytic water splitting. This requires efficient and easily accessible electrocatalysts to minimize energy consumption. Recently, as a substitute to the conventional noble-metal-based catalysts, two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have demonstrated their potential as inexpensive catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this review, we offer an overview of recent progresses in the development of layered TMDs for the HER. The improvements in TMD catalytic activity in terms of nanostructuring, defect and boundary engineering, heteroatom doping, and interaction with the supporting material are presented. We summarize with a perspective on the challenges for the future development of highly effective TMD catalysts for the HER.

Keywords

• Transition metal dichalcogenides
• Hydrogen evolution reaction
• Electrocatalysts
• Catalytic performance
• Two-dimensional materials
• Nanostructures