Facile preparation of peanut shell derivatives supported MoS2 nanosheets for hydrogen evolution reaction

A facile hydrothermal process was used to prepare peanut shells derivatives (PS)-supported MoS2 nanosheets (PS-MoS2), which showed much better hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalytic activity than MoS2. PS-MoS2 displayed excellent catalytic performance with lower onset overpotential (94.5 mV) and good cyclic stability. By analyzing the results of characterization of superficial properties, structure, morphological, and elemental valence state, 11.1%-PS-MoS2 exhibits exceptional catalytic activity due to an effective increase in the amount of exposure of active sites and in the content of lower valence Mo and S with higher HER activity owing to the addition of PS. [Display omitted] •PS-MoS2 exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity for HER in acid solution.•More exposed MoS2 edges in PS-MoS2 provide more S sites for HER.•There's a strong electronic interaction between electron-enriched PS and MoS2.