Evaluating the Effect of Varying the Metal Precursor in the Colloidal Synthesis of MoSe<sub>2</sub> Nanomaterials and Their Application as Electrodes in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Zakhele Ndala,
Ndivhuwo Shumbula,
Siyabonga Nkabinde,
Tshwarela Kolokoto,
Obakeng Nchoe,
Poslet Shumbula,
Zikhona N. Tetana,
Ella C. Linganiso,
Siziwe S. Gqoba,
Nosipho Moloto
Affiliations
Zakhele Ndala
Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa
Ndivhuwo Shumbula
Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa
Siyabonga Nkabinde
Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa
Tshwarela Kolokoto
Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa
Obakeng Nchoe
Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa
Poslet Shumbula
Department of Chemistry, University of Limpopo Private Bag x1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa
Zikhona N. Tetana
Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa
Ella C. Linganiso
Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa
Siziwe S. Gqoba
Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa
Nosipho Moloto
Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa
Herein we report on the use of different metal precursors in the synthesis of MoSe2 nanomaterials in order to control their morphology. The use of Mo(CO)6 as the metal precursor resulted in the formation of wrinkled few-layer nanosheets, while the use of H2MoO4 as the metal precursor resulted in the formation of nanoflowers. To investigate the effect of the morphologies on their performance as catalysts in the hydrogen evolution reaction, electrochemical characterization was done using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The MoSe2 nanoflowers were found to have superior electrochemical performance towards the hydrogen evolution reaction with a lower Tafel slope, on-set potential, and overpotential at 10 mA/cm2 compared to the wrinkled few-layer nanosheets. This was found to be due to the higher effective electrochemical surface area of the nanoflowers compared to the nanosheets which suggests a higher number of exposed edge sites in the nanoflowers.
