Rational design of MoS 2 @M (M = Sn, Cu, Ni, Co) hybrid nanostructures for enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction

MoS 2 has attracted attraction in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The low electrical conductivity and limited exposure of active sites hindered the electrocatalytic efficiency of MoS 2 . In this paper, we design MoS 2 @M (M = Sn, Cu, Ni, Co) hybrid nanostructures by growing MoS 2 nanosheets on the surface of M (M = Sn, Cu, Ni, Co) nanowires. Due to the high conductivity of metal nanowires and the increased HER active sites, the MoS 2 @M (M = Sn, Cu, Ni, Co) hybrid nanostructures show a superior HER efficiency. In alkaline media, the MoS 2 @M (M = Sn, Cu, Ni, Co) hybrid nanostructures exhibit the low overpotential of 130 - 172 mV at the current density of 10 mA/cm 2 and a small Tafel slope of 61 - 86 mV/dec. In addition, the MoS 2 @M (M = Sn, Cu, Ni, Co) hybrid nanostructures also possess excellent electrocatalytic durability. This work provides an efficient way to achieve highly efficient MoS 2 based electrocatalysts for water splitting.