Synthesis of 3D-MoO microsphere supported MoSe as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction.

Many efforts have been devoted to the exploration of non-noble-metal electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in recent years. Here, we have developed a 3D-MoO microsphere supported MoSe for HER, via a facile hydrothermal approach followed by selenylation treatment. Loosely stacked MoSe layers are formed on the conductive MoO surface, and act as active sites for HER. Meanwhile, the metallic inner MoO facilitates electron transport for proton reduction. In addition, the MoSe could protect the inner MoO from the acidic electrolyte in the HER precess. Significantly, the as-synthesized MoO/MoSe exhibits excellent catalytic activity for HER, characterised by a low onset potential of -101 mV vs reversible hydrogen electrode, a small overpotential of 167 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm, along with Tafel slope values of 68 mV dec, as well as outstanding stability in 0.5 mol L HSO.