MoS2 Nanosheets Supported on Hollow Carbon Spheres as Efficient Catalysts for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Hybridizing structured carbon materials with MoS 2 has been demonstrated to be an effective method to increase the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity and durability of MoS 2 . In this study, we report the growth of MoS 2 nanosheets on the surface of uniform hollow carbon spheres (HCS) to form a hydrangea-like nanocomposite. The HCS were formed through carbonization of a phenol formaldehyde template, and the MoS 2 nanosheets were grown on the HCS surfaces through a hydrothermal method. The nanocomposites have the advantages of significantly improved electrical conductivity, ease of varying the MoS 2 loading, and minimizing stacking of MoS 2 nanosheets, which are manifested by their remarkably improved HER performance. The well-tuned carbon-MoS 2 composite shows a Tafel slope of 48.9 mV dec -1 , an onset potential of -0.079 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode), and an overpotential of 126 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm -2 after 1000 potential cycles.