An electrochemical anodization strategy towards high-activity porous MoS2 electrodes for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising non-precious metal electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we have described an anodization route for the fabrication of porous MoS2 electrodes. The active porous MoS2 layer was directly formed on the surface of a Mo metal sheet when it was subjected to anodization in a sulfide-containing electrolyte. The Mo sheet served as both a supporter for MoS2 electrocatalysts and a conductive substrate for electron transport. After optimizing the anodization parameters, the anodized MoS2 electrode showed a high electrocatalytic activity with an onset potential of -0.18 V (vs. RHE) for the HER, a Tafel slope of ∼101 mV per decade and an overpotential of 0.23 V at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 for the HER. These results indicate that our facile anodization strategy is an efficient route towards a high-activity MoS2 electrode.