Recent advances in doped MoS2 electrocatalysts and photocatalysts for water splitting

The growing global energy demand and the environmental impact of relying on fossil fuels have increased interest in producing sustainable hydrogen through water splitting. Among new catalyst systems, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) materials have attracted attention for hydrogen generation via electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. This is due to their abundance in nature, layered structure, and adjustable electronic properties. This review critically assesses MoS2-based catalysts for water splitting. It connects the basic electrochemical processes of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with strategies for designing materials. The review emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between true catalytic activity and performance gains resulting from doping with s-, p-, and d-block elements. It explains how phase engineering, defect modulation, and doping with various elements influence charge transport, active site density, and adsorption energy. Some doped MoS2 materials have also been utilized for photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic performance. A comprehensive comparison of various doped MoS2 materials, including overpotentials, Tafel slopes, and other parameters, has been presented. In addition, the synthesis and characterization of the catalyst before and after catalytic activity have also been explored.