Self-optimizing layered hydrogen evolution catalyst with high basal-plane activity

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new class of layered transition-metal dichalcogenide catalysts with highly active basal-plane sites for hydrogen evolution, achieving platinum-level performance and improved scalability and durability.

Contribution

It reveals electronic factors for catalytic activity and demonstrates group-5 MX2 catalysts with basal-plane activity, surpassing previous MX2 materials and matching platinum performance.

Findings

Basal-plane sites are highly active for HER.

Catalysts exhibit long cycle life and scalable morphology.

Performance is comparable to platinum and exceeds other MX2 catalysts.

Abstract

Hydrogen is a promising energy carrier and key agent for many industrial chemical processes1. One method for generating hydrogen sustainably is via the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), in which electrochemical reduction of protons is mediated by an appropriate catalyst-traditionally, an expensive platinum-group metal. Scalable production requires catalyst alternatives that can lower materials or processing costs while retaining the highest possible activity. Strategies have included dilute alloying of Pt2 or employing less expensive transition metal alloys, compounds or heterostructures (e.g., NiMo, metal phosphides, pyrite sulfides, encapsulated metal nanoparticles)3-5. Recently, low-cost, layered transition-metal dichalcogenides (MX2)6 based on molybdenum and tungsten have attracted substantial interest as alternative HER catalysts7-11. These materials have high intrinsic per-site HER activity; however, a significant challenge is the limited density of active sites, which are concentrated at the layer edges.8,10,11. Here we use theory to unravel electronic factors underlying catalytic activity on MX2 surfaces, and leverage the understanding to report group-5 MX2 (H-TaS2 and H-NbS2) electrocatalysts whose performance instead derives from highly active basal-plane sites. Beyond excellent catalytic activity, they are found to exhibit an unusual ability to optimize their morphology for enhanced charge transfer and accessibility of active sites as the HER proceeds. This leads to long cycle life and practical advantages for scalable processing. The resulting performance is comparable to Pt and exceeds all reported MX2 candidates.