Advancing the Kinetic Investigation of MoS2 Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

ICN2 NANOSEMINAR in Chemistry & Materials by: Prof. Fritz C. Huguenin, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences, and Letters of Ribeirão Preto/University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil / Former Postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Physics of São Carlos/University of São Paulo. Supervisor: Prof. Osvaldo Novais de Oliveira Jr. / Former Postdoctoral fellowship at ICN2/Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Supervisor: Dr. Pedro Gómez-Romero / Productivity Fellow of CNPQ/Brazil
Title: Advancing the Kinetic Investigation of MoS2 Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction through Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Hosted by Prof. Pedro Gómez-Romero, Novel Energy - Oriented Materials Group Leader.
Date: Thursday 14 September 2023
The NanoSeminars are a line of seminars established by the ICN2 to provide a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas, based around a lecture by a world-class invited researcher. They bring to you three thematic series: Nano in Medicine & Health; Nano in Physics; and, Nano in Chemistry and Materials. The series about Medicine & Health is a joint initiative between the Nanomedicine Lab at the University of Manchester and the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2).
More info at: icn2.cat/en/ou...
Abstract:
Recent advancements in clean and efficient hydrogen generation technologies have led to the development of water electrolysis as a viable option. This presentation focuses on the kinetic study of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) using thin layers of MoS2 as an electrocatalyst in an acidic medium. By employing time-domain and frequency-domain electrochemical methods, the researchers aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the HER processes. A rotating glassy carbon electrode was utilized to enhance control and accuracy in determining kinetic parameters. The MoS2 catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity, with a high exchange current density, turnover frequency value, and low onset potential. The rate-limiting step was identified as the Heyrovsky step, and the calculated rate constants supported the conclusion that MoS2 deposited on vitreous carbon was highly active for HER. The study suggests that electrochemical activation could be an efficient and cost-effective method for producing MoS2-based electrocatalysts for hydrogen production. Although further optimization is required for large-scale applications, this research contributes valuable insights into the electrochemical reduction of MoS3 to MoS2 and the development of MoS2-based electrocatalysts for HER, paving the way for more sustainable and efficient hydrogen production systems.