Porous hollow MoS2 microspheres derived from core-shell sulfonated polystyrene microspheres@MoS2 nanosheets for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolutionElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c7qi00044h

Porous hollow MoS 2 microspheres were fabricated from core-shell monodisperse sulfonated polystyrene (SPS) microspheres@MoS 2 nanosheets by pyrolysis at 800 °C under a N 2 atmosphere. SPS microspheres were employed as the template and carbon precursor. The composite was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N 2 adsorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The unique hollow structure not only enlarges the specific surface area and increases Mo-edge active sites, but also facilitates the diffusion of the electrolyte. Furthermore, the residual porous carbons in the hollow MoS 2 microspheres were produced due to the incomplete decomposition of SPS, which will enhance the conductivity of the composite, thus promoting the electrocatalytic activity of hydrogen evolution. The as-prepared porous hollow MoS 2 exhibits a low overpotential of 90 mV associated with a low Tafel slope of 51 mV per decade and excellent stability in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Hollow MoS 2 microspheres were constructed using monodisperse sulfonated polystyrene (SPS) as the template, and exhibited excellent HER performance.