Layered 2D transition metal (W, Mo, and Pt) chalcogenides for hydrogen evolution reaction

Hydrogen production from water via electrolysis is widely investigated these days with several electrocatalysts in order to make it economically viable. From precious noble metals to highly abundant Fe, each element has its own energy of interaction with the intermediates involved in total water electrosplitting and behaves according to the environment in which it is put to. Of all the materials that have been reported till now, the unique layered 2D transition metal chalcogenides (2D TMDs) have attracted humongous attention because of their excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the cathodic half-cell reaction of water electrolysis, the hydrogen evolution reaction. Particularly, the sulfides and selenides of W, Mo, and Pt are often reported with several structural and electronic inflections for ameliorating the HER activity in all pH. In this chapter, the evolution of this class of materials, their properties, synthetic strategies, and methods of evaluation are discussed with specific examples. In addition, the key intellectual advancements made in this area are highlighted discretely as found appropriate.