Unveiling the Dual Potential of the MoS₂@VS₂ Nanocomposite as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions

Clean and reliable energy sources are essential amidst growing environmental concerns and impending energy shortages. Creating efficient and affordable catalysts for water splitting is a challenging yet viable option for renewable energy storage. Traditional platinum-based catalysts, while highly active, are quite expensive. Our study introduces two-dimensional (2D) MoS2@VS2 nanocomposites, developed using hydrothermal technique, as a bifunctional catalyst for the electrolysis of water into valuable products. Structural studies revealed the formation of MoS2@VS2 nanocomposites with a nanoflake-like structure, where MoS2 nanosheets grow on the VS2 surface. This 2D-based electrocatalyst demonstrated exceptional reaction kinetics, with low overpotentials of 265 mV for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and 300 mV for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at 10 mA/cm2. Furthermore, the electrocatalyst displayed small Tafel slopes of 65 mV/dec and 103 mV/dec for HER and OER, respectively, along with excellent stability. The unprecedented catalytic activity stems from the synergistic effect between semiconducting MoS2 and metallic VS2. Density functional theory calculations confirmed that this synergy enhances the electrical conductivity, facilitating efficient electron transfer during the reaction and providing an abundance of exposed active sites. These results mold MoS2@VS2 nanocomposites as promising electrocatalysts for overall water splitting, paving the way for sustainable energy future.