3D MoS2-graphene hybrid aerogels as catalyst for enhanced efficient hydrogen evolution

Aerogel composite materials consisting of MoS 2 and reduced graphite oxide (rGO) are synthesized by a facile general hydrothermal method, where GO is utilized as a template and provides a novel substrate for the nucleation and subsequent growth of MoS 2 . These MoS 2 /rGO hybrid nanostructures exhibit three-dimensional (3D) leaf-like morphology, and show excellent electrocatalytic activities of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), with a low overpotential of approximately 105   mV, a small Tafel slope of 51   mV/dec and a large exchange current density ( j 0 ) of 3.28   ×   10 −5   A/cm 2 . The superior electrochemical performance should be attributed to the 3D porous MoS 2 /rGO hybrid architecture, which enhances the conductivity from graphene to MoS 2 as well as the HER activity.