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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
Hydrogen evolution on nano-particulate transition metal sulfides.
Jacob Bonde1, Poul G Moses, Thomas F Jaramillo
1Center for Individual Nanoparticle Functionality (CINF), Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark.
This study explores molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoparticles for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER), comparing them to gold-supported MoS2 and other metal sulfides. Findings are correlated with density functional theory (DFT) calculations for hydrogen binding energies.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for clean energy production.
- Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) shows promise as a catalyst for HER.
- Understanding MoS2 surface properties and oxidation states is key to optimizing its catalytic activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the HER activity of carbon-supported MoS2 nanoparticles.
- To compare the HER performance of MoS2 with other metal sulfides, including WS2 and cobalt-promoted variants.
- To correlate experimental findings with theoretical calculations of hydrogen binding energies.
Main Methods:
- Electrochemical characterization of HER activity.
- Investigation of MoS2 oxidation to quantify surface concentration.
- Synthesis and characterization of various metal sulfides (MoS2, WS2, Co-promoted WS2, Co-promoted MoS2).
- Density functional theory (DFT) calculations for hydrogen binding energies (ΔGH).
Main Results:
- Carbon-supported MoS2 nanoparticles exhibit significant HER activity.
- MoS2 oxidation provides a method for quantifying surface MoS2 concentration.
- Cobalt promotion enhances HER activity in both MoS2 and WS2 catalysts.
- Experimental results show good agreement with DFT-calculated hydrogen binding energies.
Conclusions:
- Carbon-supported MoS2 is a viable catalyst for HER, with performance influenced by surface properties.
- Cobalt promotion offers a strategy for improving HER activity in MoS2 and WS2 catalysts.
- DFT calculations effectively predict catalytic performance based on hydrogen binding energies, guiding future catalyst design.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Microbes and the Sulfur Cycle
Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles
Properties of Transition Metals

