Sulfur dopant-enhanced neutral hydrogen evolution performance in MoO₃nanosheets

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Developing efficient nonprecious-metal catalysts is critical for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in neutral media.
• Practical HER catalysts often face challenges with slow kinetics and stability in neutral environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop highly active and stable nonprecious-metal based catalysts for neutral HER.
• To explore S-doped MoO3 nanosheets as a potential catalyst for efficient hydrogen production.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of S-doped MoO3 nanosheets using solvothermal and sulfuration processes.
• Electrochemical characterization of the catalyst's performance in neutral media (1.0 M phosphate buffered saline).
• Evaluation of catalyst stability through continuous electrolysis and cycling tests.

Main Results:

• The S-doped MoO3 nanosheets achieved a low overpotential of 106 mV at 10 mA cm-2 in neutral buffer.
• The catalyst demonstrated excellent stability, with no significant deactivation after 60 hours of electrolysis and 50,000 cycles.
• Effective HER performance was also observed in buffered seawater, with an overpotential of 262 mV at 10 mA cm-2.

Conclusions:

• S-doped MoO3 nanosheets represent a promising catalyst for efficient and stable hydrogen evolution reaction in neutral conditions.
• This work provides a new strategy for designing advanced MoO3-based catalysts for sustainable hydrogen production.
• The catalyst's applicability in buffered seawater highlights its potential for real-world applications.