Silicon Nanowires with MoSx and Pt as Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract EN

A convenient method was used for synthesizing Pt-nanoparticle/MoSx/silicon nanowires nanocomposites.

Obtained Pt-MoSx/silicon nanowires electrocatalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

The hydrogen evolution reaction efficiency of the Pt-MoSx/silicon nanowire nanocomposite catalysts was assessed by examining polarization and electrolysis measurements under solar light irradiations.

The electrochemical characterizations demonstrate that Pt-MoSx/silicon nanowire electrodes exhibited an excellent catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction in an acidic electrolyte.

The hydrogen production capability of Pt-MoSx/silicon nanowires is also comparable to MoSx/silicon nanowires and Pt/silicon nanowires.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy experiments suggest that the enhanced performance of Pt-MoSx/silicon nanowires can be attributed to the fast electron transfer between Pt-MoSx/silicon nanowire electrodes and electrolyte interfaces.