Hierarchical MoS2 nanosheets integrated Ti3C2 MXenes for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract

In this study, conductive Ti3C2 MXenes were used as a promoter to accelerate charger transfer of MoS2, realizing highly efficient HER electrocatalysis. A facile hydrothermal strategy is demonstrated to be effective for in situ growth of MoS2 nanosheets vertically standing on planar Ti3C2 nanosheets to form hierarchical heterostructures. Beneficial from the opened layer structures and strong interfacial coupling effect, the resulting MoS2/Ti3C2 heterostructures achieve a giant enhancement in HER activity compared with pristine MoS2 nanosheets. More specifically, the catalytic current density induced by MoS2/Ti3C2 heterostructures at an overpotential of ~400 mV is nearly 6.2 times as high as that of the pristine MoS2 nanosheets. This work uncovers that the Ti3C2 nanosheets are ideal candidates for construction of highly active electrocatalysts for water splitting.