As global demand for green hydrogen surges, a new mini-review published in ENGINEERING Energy (formerly Frontiers in Energy) provides a definitive roadmap for using molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) as a low-cost, earth-abundant alternative to expensive platinum catalysts. The analysis, led by researchers at Guangzhou University’s Huangpu Hydrogen Energy Innovation Centre, demonstrates how advanced modification strategies are rapidly closing the performance gap between MoS₂ and state-of-the-art platinum group metals.
Green hydrogen produced via water electrolysis is essential for decarbonizing heavy industry and long-haul transportation, but its widespread adoption is bottlenecked by the high cost and scarcity of platinum-based catalysts used in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). MoS₂ has long been recognized as a promising alternative due to its inherent catalytic activity at edge sites, but its practical performance has been limited by poor conductivity, few active sites, and stability issues.
“MoS₂ possesses Pt-like activity at its edge sites, but we need to overcome its natural limitations to make it commercially viable,” explains Dr. Lei Du, corresponding author from Guangzhou University. “This review systematically analyzes how precise atomic-level modifications can transform MoS₂ into a true platinum replacement.”
Five Strategic Modification Pathways
The review synthesizes recent breakthroughs across five key modification strategies:
- Phase Engineering: Converting the semiconducting 2H phase to metallic 1T-phase increases electrical conductivity by up to 10⁷ times. Researchers achieved 87% 1T-phase conversion through synergistic Pt doping and N₂ plasma treatment, resulting in overpotential as low as 130 mV at 10 mA/cm²—approaching commercial Pt/C catalysts.
- Morphology Design: Creating nanostructures with high edge-to-basal-plane ratios maximizes active site exposure. Quantum dots, nanoflowers, and vertically aligned nanosheets have demonstrated remarkable HER activity. MoS₂ quantum dots synthesized via hydrothermal methods showed exchange current densities rivaling noble metals, while 3D mesoporous foam structures achieved Tafel slopes as low as 46.8 mV/dec, indicating rapid reaction kinetics.
- Defect Engineering: Introducing sulfur vacancies activates the inert basal plane. Strategic defect generation via H₂ plasma treatment decreased overpotential by 544 mV and reduced Tafel slopes to 77.6 mV/dec. Computational studies show that optimal sulfur vacancy concentrations (around 3.12%) bring hydrogen adsorption free energy (ΔGₕ*) to near-zero, the ideal value for balanced adsorption/desorption.
- Heteroatom Doping: Single-atom doping with metals (Ru, Pt, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) or nonmetals (O, N, P) modulates electronic structure. Ru-doped nanoporous MoS₂ exhibited exceptional alkaline HER performance by creating synergistic effects between Ru sites and sulfur vacancies. Vanadium doping simultaneously induced phase transition and increased active site density, dramatically reducing charge transfer resistance.
- Heterostructure Construction: Building core-shell architectures and hybrid materials enhances stability and electron transfer. A nitrogen-doped MoS₂/carbon network heterostructure achieved an overpotential of just 114 mV at 10 mA/cm² with superior long-term durability over 3000 cycles. The strong electronic coupling between MoS₂ nanocrystals and carbon matrix facilitated rapid charge transport.
Performance Milestones
The review documents significant recent achievements:
- Overpotential values as low as 96 mV at 10 mA/cm²
- Tafel slopes reduced to 46.8 mV/dec (near Pt/C levels)
- Operational stability exceeding 8000 seconds in acidic media
- Current density improvements up to 13-fold via optimal Zn doping
- Successful demonstration of 1T-phase stability for extended operation
“What’s remarkable is not just the performance improvements, but the diversity of approaches,” notes Dr. Yuekuan Zhou, co-corresponding author from HKUST. “From plasma treatments to laser irradiation to MOF-derived synthesis, we’re witnessing an explosion of creative solutions.”
Pathway to Industrialization
While MoS₂ catalysts have yet to reach large-scale deployment, the review identifies clear pathways forward. The authors emphasize the need for:
- In-situ characterization techniques (XPS, XAS) to monitor active site evolution during operation
- Theoretical calculations combined with experiments to guide rational design
- Scalable manufacturing methods like atomic layer deposition and metal-organic CVD for precise structural control
- Membrane-electrode assembly integration to replace noble metals in commercial electrolyzers
The review serves as a strategic guide for researchers, outlining how to balance activity, stability, and synthesis scalability—critical factors for industrial adoption.
Significance for Energy Transition
This comprehensive analysis demonstrates that MoS₂-based catalysts are transitioning from laboratory curiosity to viable commercial technology. With green hydrogen demand projected to grow 100-fold by 2030, developing cost-effective, abundant catalysts is critical for achieving climate goals. The modification strategies reviewed could reduce catalyst costs by 90% compared to platinum, making large-scale hydrogen production economically feasible.
“MoS₂ is no longer just a promising material—it’s a proven platform,” says Dr. Siyu Ye, co-corresponding author. “This review lights the path from fundamental research to industrial application, potentially accelerating the global hydrogen economy by years.”
Publication Details
The mini-review, “Advanced 2D molybdenum disulfide for green hydrogen production: Recent progress and future perspectives,” was published in ENGINEERING Energy (formerly Frontiers in Energy), 2024, Volume 18, Issue 3, Pages 308–329.
DOI: 10.1007/s11708-024-0916-x
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-024-0916-x
Journal Citation:
Fang, M., Peng, Y., Wu, P. et al. Advanced 2D molybdenum disulfide for green hydrogen production: Recent progress and future perspectives. Front. Energy 18, 308–329 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-024-0916-x
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