Few-layer FePS3 decorated with thin MoS2 nanosheets for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline and acidic media

[Display omitted] •A novel 2D-2D MoS2@FePS3 hybrid is rationally designed through facile hydrothermal reaction.•Exfoliated few-layer FePS3 is decorated with vertical thin MoS2 nanosheets.•The unique 2D-2D structure can produce abundant active sites and fast catalytic kinetics for HER.•The MoS2@FePS3 hybrid exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic performance toward HER. Highly efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts with low cost and excellent stability are crucial to the hydrogen economy, which might replace the conventional fossil fuel to ease the environment pollution and energy source shortage. In this work, exfoliated few-layer iron phosphorus trichalcogenide (FePS3) decorated with vertical thin molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets is designed and synthesized through facile hydrothermal reaction. Benefiting from the synergistic effect between FePS3 and MoS2 nanosheets, the novel two-dimensional 2D-2D ultrathin MoS2@FePS3 nanosheet heterostructure exhibits prominent catalytic activity toward HER in both alkaline and acidic condition, as evident by low overpotential (175 mV under the alkaline condition and 168 mV under acidic condition) needed to deliver a current density of 10 mA/cm2. The decreased Tafel slope indicates an improved reaction kinetic after the combination of FePS3 and MoS2. The heterostructure nanocomposite also possesses superior stability with little decay in potential after 1000 cyclic voltammetry cycles in alkaline and acidic medium. This work provides a new protocol for constructing 2D-2D material system for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction.