Two-dimensional metallic tantalum disulfide as a hydrogen evolution catalyst

Abstract

Two-dimensional metallic transition metal dichalcogenides are emerging as prototypes for uncovering fundamental physical phenomena, such as superconductivity and charge-density waves, as well as for engineering-related applications. However, the batch production of such envisioned transition metal dichalcogenides remains challenging, which has hindered the aforementioned explorations. Herein, we fabricate thickness-tunable tantalum disulfide flakes and centimetre-sized ultrathin films on an electrode material of gold foil via a facile chemical vapour deposition route. Through temperature-dependent Raman characterization, we observe the transition from nearly commensurate to commensurate charge-density wave phases with our ultrathin tantalum disulfide flakes. We have obtained high hydrogen evolution reaction efficiency with the as-grown tantalum disulfide flakes directly synthesized on gold foils comparable to traditional platinum catalysts. This work could promote further efforts for exploring new efficient catalysts in the large materials family of metallic transition metal dichalcogenides, as well as exploiting their applications towards more versatile applications.

Anisotropic Growth and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Identification of Ultrathin Even‐Layered PdSe2 Ribbons

“…In the experiment, an APCVD route was selected with PdCl 2 and Se as precursors, with the assistance of a NaCl promoter . An Au foil was adopted as the growth substrate for PdSe 2 synthesis, considering its surface catalytic activity and chemically inert nature to the Se precursor . More details about the synthesis are listed in the Experimental Section and Figure S1 (Supporting Information).…”

“…Low productivity, high cost, small domain size, and uncontrolled layer thickness were usually resulted, strongly hindering the practical applications of PdSe 2 in related fields. In contrast, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has been proved to be effective for synthesizing high‐quality 2D TMDCs (MoS 2 , MoSe 2 , VSe 2 , TaS 2 , etc. ), due to its surpassing advantages on the facile synthesis of thickness uniform, large domain size, and morphology flexible materials with low cost .…”

High‐Yield Electrochemical Production of Large‐Sized and Thinly Layered NiPS3 Flakes for Overall Water Splitting

“…Such performance transcended many of the previously reported nonprecious metal HER electrocatalysts (Table S3, Supporting Information). Furthermore, the catalytic kinetics were assessed from the Tafel plots . The Tafel slope value of LSTL NiPS 3 was ≈95 mV dec −1 , which was lower than the bulk NiPS 3 crystals (159 mV dec −1 ) (Figure S25, Supporting Information), signifying its superior HER rate.…”

2D Metallic Transitional Metal Dichalcogenides for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution

“…Notably, great efforts have also been made on the CVD growth of mono‐ or multilayered MTMDC nanosheets with relatively high crystalline quality and controllable layer thickness . Typically, single‐crystal VS 2 (sub‐10 nm in thickness) and VSe 2 nanosheets (4.9−90 nm in thickness, 5−20 μm in edge length) were obtained on common insulating substrates (e.g., SiO 2 /Si, mica) via the gas‐phase reaction of vanadium chloride and sulfur/selenide.…”

“…Typically, single‐crystal VS 2 (sub‐10 nm in thickness) and VSe 2 nanosheets (4.9−90 nm in thickness, 5−20 μm in edge length) were obtained on common insulating substrates (e.g., SiO 2 /Si, mica) via the gas‐phase reaction of vanadium chloride and sulfur/selenide. Interestingly, the inert metal of Au presented as a suitable substrate (Au foil) for the synthesis of high‐quality, uniform monolayer TaSe 2 and few‐layer TaS 2 films . More intriguingly, the MTMDCs/Au foil system was compatible with onsite scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS) characterizations and HER measurements .…”