1T’ RexMo1−xS2–2H MoS2 Lateral Heterojunction for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Performance

Abstract

© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.The imperfect interfaces between 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are suitable for boosting the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) during water electrolysis. Here, the improved catalytic activity at the spatial heterojunction between 1T’ RexMo1−xS2 and 2H MoS2 is reported. Atomic-scale electron microscopy confirms that the heterojunction is constructed by an in-situ two-step growth process through chemical vapor deposition. Electrochemical microcell measurements demonstrate that the 1T’ RexMo1−xS2–2H MoS2 lateral heterojunction exhibits the best HER catalytic performance among all TMD catalysts with an overpotential of ≈84 mV at 10 mA cm−2 current density and 58 mV dec−1 Tafel slope. Kelvin probe force microscopy shows ≈40 meV as the work function difference between 2H MoS2 and 1T’ RexMo1−xS2, facilitating the electron transfer from 2H MoS2 to 1T’ RexMo1−xS2 at the heterojunction. First-principles calculations reveal that Mo-rich heterojunctions with high structural stability are formed, and the HER performance is improved with the combination of increased density of states near the Fermi level and optimal ΔGH* as low as 0.07 eV. Those synergetic effects with many electrons and active sites with optimal ΔGH* improve HER performance at the heterojunction. These results provide new insights into understanding the role of the heterojunction for HER.