PUBLICATION: JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A

AUTHORS: Shi, MQ; Jiang, ZZ; Mei, BB; Li, YY; Sun, FF; Yu, HS; Xu, YH 

 

WC|WS2 composites with a sponge-like structure were constructed from nanolayers with the aid of NaCl as a template. Each nanolayer was composed of WC|WS2 interfaces by inducing carbon as the interstitial atoms. The local configuration around W atoms was probed by EXAFS. The catalytic activity of WC|WS2 composites for the hydrogen evolution reaction was thoroughly investigated by varying the ratio of WC|WS2. The sponge-like structures not only facilitate the transportation of the electrolyte, but also offer more edge active sites. The introduction of carbon provides W-C bonds, which accelerate the electron transportation and improve the stability of the catalyst in the hydrogen evolution reaction. The hybrid catalyst presents a low overpotential of 103 mV at 10 mA cm(-2) and a Tafel slope of 58 mV Dec(-1) and possesses great potential for low-cost and larger-scale production applied in catalysis.

 

LINKS: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d0ta10673a