Efficient Hydrogen Production on a 3D Flexible Heterojunction Material.

Yu, Huidi; Xue, Yurui; Hui, Lan; Zhang, Chao; Li, Yongjun; Zuo, Zicheng; Zhao, Yingjie; Li, Zhibo et al. · Adv Mater · 2018

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A novel heterojunction material, with electron-rich graphdiyne as the host and molybdenum disulfide as the catalytic center (eGDY/MDS), to produce ultraefficient hydrogen-evolution reaction (HER) at all pH values is described. It is a surprise that the metallic conductor combined from two semiconductor materials, eGDY and MDS, leads to optimal free energy (ΔG<sub>H</sub> ) and enhancement in the intrinsic HER catalytic performances. The calculated and experimental results indicate that eGDY/MDS shows greatly enhanced catalytic activities and high stabilities in both acidic and alkaline conditions; these approach the outstanding performances of the state-of-the-art noble-metal-based catalysts. The eGDY/MDS shows better activity than Pt/C in alkaline media and remarkable enhancement in photocurrent density. The high catalytic activity of eGDY/MDS originates from facilitated electronic transfer kinetics, high conductivity, more exposed catalytic active sites, and excellent mass transport.