MoS_x-coated NbS₂ nanoflakes grown on glass carbon: an advanced electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Recent experimental and theoretical studies have demonstrated that two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) nanoflakes are one of the most promising candidates for non-noblemetal electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, it is still challenging to optimize their conductivity and enrich active sites for highly efficient electrochemical performance. Herein, we report a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and thermal annealing two-step strategy to controllably synthesize hybrid electrocatalysts consisting of metallic NbS₂ nanoflake backbones and a highly catalytic active MoS_x nanocrystalline shell on polished commercial glass carbon (GC). In addition, the amount of MoS_x in the hybrids can be easily adjusted. We first demonstrate that a small amount of MoS_x significantly promotes the HER activity of 2D NbS₂ nanoflakes, which is in good agreement with the density functional theory (DFT) calculation results. Moreover, the optimized MoS_x@NbS₂/GC electrocatalyst displays superior HER activity with overpotential of -164 mV at -10 mA cm^-2, a small Tafel slope of 43.2 mV dec^-1, and prominent electrochemical stability. This study provides a new path for enhancing the HER performance of 2D TMDC nanoflakes.