S-doped WP2 nanowire-derived self-standing electrocatalytic electrode for boosting alkaline hydrogen evolution

The development of non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts is still a challenge for electrochemical water-splitting technology. Herein, we successfully fabricated a novel three-dimensional sulfur (S)-doped WP 2 nanowires (NWs) on carbon cloth (CC) as a self-supported electrode for electrocatalytic HER in alkaline media. The optimized S-doped WP 2 NWs acquire the low overpotentials of 180 mV at 100 mA cm −2 . The S-doping is proved to enlarge the specific surface area, reduce the charge transfer resistance, and optimize the electronic structure of WP 2 NWs/CC. This study opens an avenue for enhancing the electrocatalytic activity via non-metal doping. Graphical abstract