Composition and Interface Engineering of Alloyed MoS2 x Se2(1- x ) Nanotubes for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Activity.

Hierarchical MoS2 x Se2(1- x ) nanotubes assembled from several-layered nanosheets featuring tunable chalcogen compositions, expanded interlayer spacing and carbon modification, are synthesized for enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The chalcogen compositions of the MoS2 x Se2(1- x ) nanotubes are controllable by adjusting the selenization temperature and duration while the expanded (002) interlayer spacing varies from 0.98 to 0.68 nm. It is found that the MoS2 x Se2(1- x ) (x = 0.54) nanotubes with expanded interlayer spacing of 0.98 nm exhibit the highest electrocatalytic HER activity with a low onset potential of 101 mV and a Tafel slope of 55 mV dec(-1) . The improved electrocatalytic performance is attributed to the chalcogen composition tuning and the interlayer distance expansion to achieve benefitting hydrogen adsorption energy. The present work suggests a potential way to design advanced HER electrocatalysts through modulating their compositions and interlayer distances.

In Situ Carbon-Doped Mo(Se0.85 S0.15 )2 Hierarchical Nanotubes as Stable Anodes for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are promising energy storage devices, but suffer from poor cycling stability and low rate capability. In this work, carbon doped Mo(Se0.85 S0.15 )2 (i.e., Mo(Se0.85 S0.15 )2 :C) hierarchical nanotubes have been synthesized for the first time and serve as a robust and high-performance anode material. The hierarchical nanotubes with diameters of 300 nm and wall thicknesses of 50 nm consist of numerous 2D layered nanosheets, and can act as a robust host for sodiation/desodiation cycling. The Mo(Se0.85 S0.15 )2 :C hierarchical nanotubes deliver a discharge capacity of 360 mAh g(-1) at a high current density of 2000 mA g(-1) and keep a 81.8% capacity retention compared to that at a current density of 50 mA g(-1) , showing superior rate capability. Comparing with the second cycle discharge capacities, the nanotube anode can maintain capacities of 102.2%, 101.9%, and 97.8% after 100 cycles at current densities of 200, 500, and 1000 mA g(-1) , respectively. This work demonstrates the best cycling performance and high-rate sodium storage capabilities of MoSe2 for SIBs to date. The hollow interior, hierarchical organization, layered structure, and carbon doping are beneficial for fast Na(+) -ion and electron kinetics and are responsible for the stable cycling performance and high rate capabilities.