Synergistic enhancement of hydrogen evolution reaction by one-step pyrolysis synthesis of 1T-2H MoS2 loaded nitrogen-doped carbon

The increasing demand for clean and renewable energy underscores the importance of hydrogen energy, with electrocatalytic water splitting being an efficient method for green hydrogen production. Platinum, while an excellent catalyst for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER), is hindered by high cost and scarcity. This study explores non-precious alternatives, focusing on MoS 2 due to its “platinum-like behavior.” The 1T-2H MoS 2 loaded on N-doped carbon (NC) catalysts (1T-2H MoS 2 @NC) were synthesized through a one-step pyrolysis of melamine and ammonium thiomolybdate. Comprehensive analysis revealed that the 2H phase formed at 700 °C, transitioning to a biphasic 1T-2H composition at higher temperatures. The catalyst synthesized at 800 °C with a 1:8 reactant ratio demonstrated exceptional HER performance, with an overpotential of 175 mV at 10 mA cm −2 and a Tafel slope of 92.37 mV dec −1 . This study highlights the potential of 1T-2H MoS 2 @NC as a cost-effective and efficient catalyst for sustainable hydrogen production.