Pulsed laser deposition-assisted synthesis of porous WP2 nanosheet arrays integrated on graphite paper as a 3D flexible cathode for efficient hydrogen evolution

Abstract Herein, porous WP 2 nanosheet arrays integrated on graphite paper (P-WP 2 NSs/GP) as 3D flexible cathode for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are prepared by in situ phosphidation via vacuum encapsulation assisted by pulsed laser deposition technique. Compared to the electrode without pre-deposition process, the enhanced catalytic activities are attributed to the increased effective catalyst loading and the reinforced charge transport kinetics. The results make the present P-WP 2 NSs/GP as a promising cathode for energy conversion and paves a new way for designing and fabricating efficient electrodes toward HER.