Synthesis of edge-enriched WS2 on high surface area WS2 framework by atomic layer deposition for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Several approaches have been adopted to increase the density of the catalytically active edge-sites of TMDs including the use of high surface area 3D templates. In this work, we report the implementation of a high surface area WS2 framework grown using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) as templates to support edge-enriched PEALD grown WS2 electrocatalyst films. We show that these combined WS2 template-electrocatalyst configurations show better HER performance than the individual constituents. Material properties of the combined configurations including morphology and composition are investigated. A correlation between material properties and the HER performance is observed. This facile pathway could lead to a new route for creating high surface area electrocatalyst systems via PEALD.