A Single-step Synthesis of Aluminum-Doped WS2 for Oxygen Evolution Reaction with Loading Influence on Catalytic Performance

Abstract

Recently, tungsten disulfide (WS₂) has received considerable attention in aspects of electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reactions (OER). However, due to the restricted number of active sites, WS₂ nanoflower has a high overpotential in OER. Thus, we provide herein a doping approach for doping WS₂ nanoflower with non-noble aluminum (Al) metal to increase active sites in an effort to enhance the OER activity of WS₂. The positive electrocatalytic effect of Al-doping on WS₂ material results in a lower OER operating overpotential. In comparison to undoped WS₂, the skeleton-like structure (0.04 %) Al-doped WS₂ nanoflowers significantly enhanced OER catalytic activity with an overpotential of 650 mV at the current density of 6 mA cm⁻². Furthermore, the impact of different mass loadings of (0.04 %) Al-WS₂ on the OER performance has been examined using electrochemical analysis. The success of using aluminum dopants to improve OER performance would have a significant impact on the development and production of non-noble metal sulfide-based electrocatalysts for OER.