摘要
1T phase MoS_(2)(1T-MoS_(2)) is a promising substitute of platinum electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)due to its high intrinsic activity but suffering from thermodynamical instability.Although great efforts have been made to synthesize 1T-MoS_(2) and enhance its stability,it remains a big challenge to realize the phase control and stabilization of 1T-MoS_(2).Herein,based on crystal field theory analysis,we propose a new solution by designing an electrocatalyst of 1T-MoS_(2) nanosheets anchoring on black TiO2-xnanotube arrays in-situ grown on Ti plate(1T-MoS_(2)/TiO_(2-x)@Ti).The black TiO_(2-x)substrate is expected to play as electron donors to increase the charge in Mo 4 d orbits of 1T-MoS_(2) and thus weaken the asymmetric occupation of electrons in the Mo 4 d orbits.Experimental results demonstrate that black TiO_(2-x)nanotubes shift electrons to MoS_(2) and induce MoS_(2) to generate more 1 T phase due to stabilizing the 1T-MoS_(2) nanosheets compared with a Ti substrate.Thus 1T-MoS_(2/)TiO_(2-x)@Ti shows much improved HER performance with a small Tafel slope of 42 m V dec^(-1) and excellent catalytic stability with negligible degradation for 24 h.Theoretical calculations confirm that the black TiO_(2-x)substrate can effectively stabilize metastable 1T-MoS_(2) due to electrons transferring from black TiO_(2-x)to Mo 4 d orbits.This work sheds light on the instability of 1T-MoS_(2) and provides an essential method to stabilize and efficiently utilize 1T-MoS_(2) for HER.
基金
supported by the New Zealand China Doctoral Research Scholarship (Grant no. 201706080124)
support from the China Scholarships Council (CSC) for his study at the University of Auckland