Boosted Hydrogen evolution reaction based on synergistic effect of graphene, MoS2 and RuO2 ternary electrocatalyst

Abstract

Hydrogen holds the promise of replacing fossil fuels and offers a sustainable pathway for energy generation. However, the large-scale production of hydrogen via the environment friendly electrocatalytic process relies heavily on the performance of electrocatalysts. In this study, we investigate the electrocatalytic performance of graphene nanosheets (GNS), molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), ruthenium dioxide (RuO₂), and their composites for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), a novel combination that has not been explored in previous literature. We synthesize the materials using Liquid Phase Exfoliation at 500 and 1000 RPMs for GNS and MoS₂ and via hydrothermal methods for RuO₂ nanosheets and nanoparticles, aiming to exploit synergistic effects for enhanced activity and stability. The synthesized GNS-1000/MoS₂-1000/RuO₂-NSs composite demonstrates promising HER results, showcasing a low overpotential of 63 mV and a reduced Tafel slope of 59 mV/dec. This improvement indicates enhanced electron transfer, improved active site dispersion, and increased surface area due to the synergistic effects, which also aids in long-term electrochemical stability. Our study underlines the potential of GNS/MoS₂/RuO₂ composites, particularly the GNS-1000/MoS₂-1000/RuO₂-NSs, in transforming hydrogen production methods and promoting efficient, sustainable energy solutions. The implications of our findings extend the boundaries of materials engineering, edging us closer to a sustainable energy future.