The effect of morphology on electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction of ReSe nano-structures

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as rhenium diselenide, have currently attracted a lot of attention as one of the novel candidates of the TMD family. However, sample fabrication remains a significant problem due to poor electrochemical performance, and synthesizing ReSe 2 with outstanding tailored features to encounter the high-level demands of noble metal replacement persists a challenge. As a result, we suggest a method for the production of ReSe 2 with controllable morphologies by simply changing the Re : Se ratio of the precursors. Herein, two distinct morphologies i.e. nanoparticles and nanobelts of ReSe 2 were synthesized using a hot injection approach. Phase study and modes of vibrations of both samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction crystallography (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed ReSe 2 nanoparticle and nanobelt morphologies. The nanobelts ReSe 2 outperformed by achieving a current density of 10 mA cm −2 at an over-potential of 96 mV whereas ReSe 2 nanoparticles attained a current density of 10 mA cm −2 at 174 mV. The remarkable electrocatalytic performance of ReSe 2 nanobelts is due to their unique morphology, which allows for quick charge transfer kinetics and incredible stability even after 1000 CV cycles. Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as rhenium diselenide, have currently attracted a lot of attention as one of the novel candidates of the TMD family.