Hard template strategy for the synthesis of porous MoS2/MoO2 hybrid electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract Constructing the porous structure and inserting active defects are two effective ways to improve the performance of MoS2-based electro-catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this work, the porous MoS2/MoO2 hybrid was successfully fabricated by a facile hard template strategy based on redox solid-phase reaction (SPR). Firstly, Fe2O3/MoS2 composite were prepared by an in-situ growth method. After the redox SPR between MoS2 and Fe2O3, part of Fe2O3 were transformed into Fe3O4 phase, whilst some MoO2 was instead of MoS2. After the etching of Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 NPs in precursor MoS2/MoO2/Fe3O4/Fe2O3, designed MoS2/MoO2 hybrid was obtained. Different techniques were adapted to reveal the well-defined phase interfaces between MoS2 and MoO2, which contained plenty of unsaturated Mo, S, and O active centers. The obtained porous MoS2/MoO2 hybrid was investigated for HER in alkaline. The low overpotential of 157 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and the excellent cycling stability demonstrate the remarkable catalytic activity of porous MoS2/MoO2 hybrid.