Polyoxometalates as a precursor in one-pot synthesis of MoS ₂ -V ₂ O ₅ @CC for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are rich in oxygen and transition metal elements, making them ideal preassembled platforms for constructing transition metal catalysts. Unlike traditional methods for preparing V₂O₅/MoS₂ composite catalysts, this study utilizes the selective preference of vanadium for oxygen versus sulfur coordination. Using a Lindqvist-type POM, (C₁₆H₃₆N)₂ Mo₃V₃O₁₆(OCH₂)₃CCH₂CH₃ (Mo₃V₃), as a precursor, we constructed a MoS₂-based electrocatalyst composited with a small amount of V₂O₅ in situ on carbon cloth (CC) via a one-pot hydrothermal method. This catalyst was applied for the efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Experimental results show that the introduction of a small amount of V₂O₅ significantly increases the electrochemically active surface area of the catalyst, thereby effectively enhancing the catalytic performance. This work provides a new design strategy and synthetic pathway for the precise construction of high-performance composite electrocatalysts based on POM precursors.