The Co 3 O 4 nanosheet array as support for MoS 2 as highly efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract The electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on a non-precious electrocatalyst in an alkaline environment is of essential importance for future renewable energy. The design of advanced electrocatalysts for HER is the most important part to reduce the cost and to enhance the efficiency of water splitting. MoS 2 is considered as one of the most promising electrocatalysts to replace the precious Pt catalyst. Herein, for the first time, we have successfully loaded MoS 2 electrocatalysts onto the Co 3 O 4 nanosheet array to catalyze HER with a low onset potential of ∼76 mV. The high hydrogen evolution activity of MoS 2 supported on the Co 3 O 4 nanosheet array may be attributed to the increased active sites and the electronic interactions between MoS 2 and Co 3 O 4 .