Heterostructure engineering of MoS2/Mo2CTx nanoarray via molten salt synthesis for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Two-dimensional layered transition metal carbides (MXenes), have huge potential advantage for applications in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, the hindered hydrogen evolution at large current densities and the instability of MXenes during HER remains major challenges. Herein, we report the MoS2/Mo2CTx nanoarray with aerophobic structure via molten salt synthesis. In situ vertical distribution of MoS2 nanoarray on the surface of Mo2CTx accelerates hydrogen gas release from the electrode, exhibiting significantly enhanced catalytic activity and stability to bare MoS2 and Mo2CTx. The MoS2/Mo2CTx nanoarray possesses excellent stability at −100 mA/cm2 for 100 h with only 3% overpotential increase. Our work provides guidance for developing high-stability MXene-based catalysts by virtue of in situ bonding between nanoarray and MXene.

Keywords

• Molten salt
• Aerophobic structure
• Nanoarray
• Hydrogen evolution reaction