Transition metal doped MoS2 nanosheets for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction

In the present work, the effect of transition metals (Ni, Fe, Co) doping on 2-dimensional (2D) molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) nanosheets for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was explored. A simple and cost-effective hydrothermal method was adopted to synthesis transition metals doped MoS 2 nanosheets. The morphological and spectroscopic studies evidence the formation of high-quality MoS 2 nanosheets with the randomly doped metal ions. Notably, the Ni–MoS 2 displayed superior HER performance with an overpotential of −0.302 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) (to attain the current density of 10 mA cm −2 ) as compared to the other transition metals doped MoS 2 (Co–MoS 2 , Fe–MoS 2 ). From the Nyquist plot, superior charge transport from the electrocatalyst to the electrolyte in Ni–MoS 2 was realized and confirmed that Ni doping provides the necessary catalytic active sites for rapid hydrogen production. The stable performance was confirmed with the cyclic test and chronoamperometry measurement and envisaged that hydrothermally synthesized Ni–MoS 2 is a highly desirable cost-effective approach for electrocatalytic hydrogen generation. • This work explores the effect of transition metal doping on MoS 2 nanosheets for HER. • Ni–MoS 2 displayed superior HER performance with an over-potential of −0.302 V vs. RHE. • Ni doping provides the necessary catalytic active sites for rapid hydrogen production. • Chronoamperometry measurement shows a stable performance of Ni–MoS 2 nanosheets.