Molybdenum Sulphoselenophosphide Spheroids as an Effective Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Electrocatalytic splitting of water is the most convincing and straight forward path to extract hydrogen, but the efficiency of this process relies heavily on the catalyst employed. Here, molybdenum sulphoselenophosphide (MoS_45.1 Se_11.7 P_6.1 ) spheroids are reported as an active catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and this is the first attempt to study on ternary anion based molybdenum chalcogenides. As-prepared MoS_x Se_y P_z catalyst reveals a unique morphology of microspheroids capped by stretched-out nanoflakes that exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity (   j-10 mA cm^-2 @ 93 mV, Tafel slope of 50.1 mV dec^-1 , TOF-0.40 s^-1 ) fairly closer to the performance of platinum (Pt) and predominant to those of the pre-existing Mo-chalcogenides and phosphides. Such an increase in performance stems from the copious amount of active edge sites, the presence of nanoflakes, and high circumferential area exposed by the spheroids. Besides, the electrode with MoS_45.1 Se_11.7 P_6.1 displays excellent stability in acidic medium over 10 h of continuous operation. This work paves way for improving the catalytic activity of existing Mo-chalcogenide compounds by doping suitable mixed anions and also reveals the integral role of anions as well as their synergetic effects on the surface physiochemical properties and the HER catalysis.