An electrochemical anodization strategy towards high-activity porous MoS(2) electrodes for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS(2)) is a promising non-precious metal electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we have described an anodization route for the fabrication of porous MoS(2) electrodes. The active porous MoS(2) layer was directly formed on the surface of a Mo metal sheet when it was subjected to anodization in a sulfide-containing electrolyte. The Mo sheet served as both a supporter for MoS(2) electrocatalysts and a conductive substrate for electron transport. After optimizing the anodization parameters, the anodized MoS(2) electrode showed a high electrocatalytic activity with an onset potential of −0.18 V (vs. RHE) for the HER, a Tafel slope of ∼101 mV per decade and an overpotential of 0.23 V at a current density of 10 mA cm(−2) for the HER. These results indicate that our facile anodization strategy is an efficient route towards a high-activity MoS(2) electrode.