Porous MoP2/MoS2 hierarchical nanowires for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction in full pH range

Rational designing Mo-based heterojunction catalysts as hydrogen evolution catalysts is seriously significant for the widespread utilization of hydrogen energy. Here, the ingenious hierarchical construction of MoP2/MoS2 nanowires was delivered with high conductivity of porous MoP2 and abundant active sites of defect-rich MoS2. Under synergistic effect of two materials, this catalyst achieves a dramatically optimized electronic structure to boost hydrogen evolution in all-pH range. The optimal MoP2/MoS2/CC nanoreactor showed overpotentials of 47.11, 60.16, and 89.83 mV to drive −10 mA cm−2 and Tafel slopes of 51.69, 52.04, and 73.79 mV dec−1 in acidic, alkaline, and neutral media, respectively. This finding may provide an effective approach for elevating the pH-universal electrocatalytic performance in order to achieve industrial hydrogen evolution. •Delicate hierarchical construction of MoP2/MoS2 lead to favorable preformace for HER.•High-dose thiourea hydrothermal prepares defective MoS2 with plentiful active sites.•Porous semimetallic MoP2 frame accelerates electron transport.•The MoP2/MoS2 showes tiny overpotentials and robust stability over a wide pH range.