MoSe(2)-Ni(3)Se(4) Hybrid Nanoelectrocatalysts and Their Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Combining MoSe(2) with other transition metal dichalcogenides to form a hybrid nanostructure is an effective route to enhance the electrocatalytic activities for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this study, MoSe(2)-Ni(3)Se(4) hybrid nanoelectrocatalysts with a flower-like morphology are synthesized by a seed-induced solution approach. Instead of independently nucleating to form separate nanocrystals, the Ni(3)Se(4) component tends to nucleate and grow on the surfaces of ultrathin nanoflakes of MoSe(2) to form a hybrid nanostructure. MoSe(2)–Ni(3)Se(4) hybrid nanoelectrocatalysts with different Mo:Ni ratios are prepared and their HER catalytic activities are compared. The results show that the HER activities are affected by the Mo:Ni ratios. In comparison with pure MoSe(2), the MoSe(2)-Ni(3)Se(4) hybrid nanoelectrocatalysts having a Mo:Ni molar ratio of 2:1 exhibit enhanced HER properties with an overpotential of 203 mV at 10 mA/cm(2) and a Tafel slope of 57 mV per decade. Improved conductivity and increased turnover frequencies (TOFs) are also observed for the MoSe(2)-Ni(3)Se(4) hybrid samples.