Datensatz

Zusammenfassung

Two-dimensional molybdenum-disulfide (MoS₂) catlysts can achieve high catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction upon appropriate modification of their surface. The intrinsic inertness of the compound´s basal planes can be overcome by either increasing the number of catalytically active edge sites or by enhancing the activity of the basal planes via controlled creation of sulfur vacancies. Here, we report a novel method of activating the MoS₂ surface in this respect using swift heavy ion irradiation. The creation of nanometer-scale structures by the ion beam, in combination with the partial sulfur depletion of the basal planes, leads to a large increase of the number of low-coordinated Mo atoms, which can form bonds with adsorbing species. This results in a decreased onset potential for hydrogen evolution, as well as in a significant enhance of the electrochemical current density by over 160% as compared to an identical but non-irradiated MoS₂ surface.