Group IV transition metal based phospho-chalcogenides@MoTe2 for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction over wide range of pH

Electrochemical water splitting proved to be one of the most attractive sources of green fuel energy but the easy and time-consuming synthesis of highly active, low-priced, steady and earth-abundant metals electrocatalysts is still a challenge among the researcher. In this work, we have reported the fabrication of Group IV transition metal (M = Ti, Hf, and Zr) based phospho-chalcogenides and their composite with MoTe2 via simple hydrothermal synthesis process. The prepared nanocomposites (MP2S6@MoTe2) were compared with respect to their best performance towards HER over the entire pH range. Among the different kind of prepared nanocomposite, TiP2S6@MoTe2 exhibited special almond like shape with self-layered morphology and henceforth selected as best catalyst on the basis of their low Tafel slope, small onset potential, low charge transfer resistance and small overpotential value over the wide range of pH. It was also found that nanocomposites modified working electrode showed long cycle durability in the acidic pH in controlled potential electrolysis study.