Synthesis, Characterization, and Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Activity of MoS2 Nanostructures Prepared Using Nonionic Surfactant

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has garnered significant interest as an auspicious catalytic material for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here, MoS2 nanostructures are synthesized using the hydrothermal method with ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate ((NH4)6Mo7O24∙4H2O) as the Mo source; thioacetamide (CH3CSNH2) as the reducing agent and S source; and nonylphenols 9, nonylphenols 40, and polysorbate 80 as the surfactants. The impact of the different nonionic surfactants on the materials is comprehensively investigated. Moreover, the MoS2 fine structure was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission scanning microscopy (TEM). The HER characteristics of the MoS2 composites are assessed through electrochemical experiments, including linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry measurements. Among the prepared specimens, MoS2/NP 9 exhibits the best electrocatalytic performance in a neutral medium. Furthermore, 240 mV is required to reach the current density of 10 mAcm−2.