Using Exciton/Trion Dynamics to Spatially Monitor the Catalytic Activities of MoS₂ during the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Abstract

The adsorption and desorption of electrolyte ions strongly modulates the carrier density or carrier type on the surface of monolayer-MoS₂ catalyst during the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The buildup of electrolyte ions onto the surface of monolayer MoS₂ during the HER may also result in the formation of excitons and trions, similar to those observed in gate-controlled field-effect transistor devices. Using the distinct carrier relaxation dynamics of excitons and trions of monolayer MoS₂ as sensitive descriptors, an in situ microcell-based scanning time-resolved liquid cell microscope is set up to simultaneously measure the bias-dependent exciton/trion dynamics and spatially map the catalytic activity of monolayer MoS₂ during the HER. This operando probing technique used to monitor the interplay between exciton/trion dynamics and electrocatalytic activity for two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides provides an excellent platform to investigate the local carrier behaviors at the atomic layer/liquid electrolyte interfaces during electrocatalytic reaction.