One Dimensional MoS2/MoP Heterostructures for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Transition metal chalcogenides and transition metal phosphides have shown great potential in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) applications. Forming heterostructure is an effective way to enhance the electrocatalytic performance. In this paper, we report the facile synthesis of one dimensional MoS2/MoP heterostructures by using the electrospinning, phosphating and subsequent hydrothermal process. The heterostructures were confirmed by the high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) characterization. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) confirmed the composition and structure of the MoS2/MoP heterostructures. With larger specific surface area and heterointerface between MoS2 and MoP, more electrocatalytic active sites and favorable synergistic effect existed in the one dimensional MoS2/MoP heterostructures. The one dimensional MoS2/MoP heterostructures exhibit an enhanced HER performance with a low overpotential of 113 mV at 10 mA/cm(2) and a small Tafel slope of 62 mV/dec in 0.5 M H2SO4. It is a potential alternative for expensive noble metals in the future.