Growth of MoS2 nanosheets on M@N-doped carbon particles (M = Co, Fe or CoFe Alloy) as an efficient electrocatalyst toward hydrogen evolution reaction

The design and synthesis of a highly active noble metal-free electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from water splitting are crucial renewable energy technologies. Herein, we report the growth molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) on N-doped carbon encapsulated metal particles ([email protected]@MoS2, where M = Co, Fe or CoFe alloy) as HER. hierarchical MoS2 nanosheets grown [email protected] using hydrothermal method. Our results show that protected]@MoS2 hybrid spheres exhibit excellent HER performance with an overpotential 64 mV at current density 10 mA cm−2 small Tafel slope 45 dec-1. In addition, have good long-term stability durability in acidic conditions. Besides, functional theory (DFT) simulations proposed catalysts performed suggest superior catalytic activity is due to optimal electron transfer nanoparticles nanosheets. This facilitates H+ interaction adsorption, leading decreased Gibbs free (ΔGH* ≈ 0.08 eV) local work function surface, which consequently enhances performance.