Synthesis of sulfur-rich MoS2 nanoflowers for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction performance

Abstract Search and design of cost-effective but high efficient functional catalysts, alternatives to noble metals, are essential for hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein, we develop the MoS 2 nanoflowers with 210–470 nm in diameter constructed by nanosheets using a facile hydrothermal method. The MoS 2 nanoflowers obtained expose greater numbers of unsaturated S atoms on the edge sites and exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activities in acidic medium. When serving in hydrogen evolution reaction, MoS 2 nanoflowers show enhanced catalytic activity with the onset potential of 117 mV and the required potential of 255 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA/cm 2 , which is superior to commercial MoS 2 under the same conditions. Meanwhile, the MoS 2 nanoflowers also show excellent catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction after 1000 cycles. Moreover, the higher stability without apparent activity loss and long-term durability for 5 h are also observed. Overall, the MoS 2 nanoflowers exhibit excellent activity toward hydrogen evolution reaction and are a promising functional catalyst in practical application.