Grade Level at Time of Presentation

Junior

Major

Physics

Minor

Mathematics

2nd Student Major

Physics Honors

2nd Student Minor

Mathematics

Institution

Western Kentucky University

KY House District #

20

KY Senate District #

2

Department

Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

Recent development of two-dimensional layered materials including graphene-family and related nanomaterials have arisen as potential game changer for energy, water and sensing applications. While graphene is a form of carbon arranged hexagonally within atomic thin sheet, MoS2 is becoming a popular, efficient, and cost-effective catalyst for electrochemical energy devices, in contrast to expensive platinum and palladium catalysts. In this work, we electrochemically desulfurize few-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and aerogels with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) prepared under hydrothermal conditions ((P< 20 bar, T< 200 oC), for improving hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity via point defects (S-vacancy). Moreover, the interactions between rGO and MoS2 components create emergent heterostructures with desirable physicochemical properties (specific surface area, mechanical strength, faster diffusion, facile electron and ion transport) enabled by chemically bridged (covalently) tailored interfaces. We demonstrate that with an optimized number defect density, particularly by exposing the edges of MoS2 layers and nanowalls in graphene-MoS2 ‘hybrid’ aerogels, interfacial processes during catalytic reactions are accelerated. To understand the effects of defects on HER activity, we varied the applied potential and operating duration for optimized defect density. This study offers a unique method for tuning the properties of layered MoS­2 and hybrids as promising, cost-effective and efficient nanocatalysts and establishes the structure–catalytic activity relationships via scanning electrochemical microscopy at electrode/electrolyte interface besides mapping electrochemical (re)activity and electro-active site distribution.

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Two-Dimensional Layered Materials (Graphene-MoS2) Nanocatalysts for Hydrogen Production

Recent development of two-dimensional layered materials including graphene-family and related nanomaterials have arisen as potential game changer for energy, water and sensing applications. While graphene is a form of carbon arranged hexagonally within atomic thin sheet, MoS2 is becoming a popular, efficient, and cost-effective catalyst for electrochemical energy devices, in contrast to expensive platinum and palladium catalysts. In this work, we electrochemically desulfurize few-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and aerogels with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) prepared under hydrothermal conditions ((P< 20 bar, T< 200 oC), for improving hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity via point defects (S-vacancy). Moreover, the interactions between rGO and MoS2 components create emergent heterostructures with desirable physicochemical properties (specific surface area, mechanical strength, faster diffusion, facile electron and ion transport) enabled by chemically bridged (covalently) tailored interfaces. We demonstrate that with an optimized number defect density, particularly by exposing the edges of MoS2 layers and nanowalls in graphene-MoS2 ‘hybrid’ aerogels, interfacial processes during catalytic reactions are accelerated. To understand the effects of defects on HER activity, we varied the applied potential and operating duration for optimized defect density. This study offers a unique method for tuning the properties of layered MoS­2 and hybrids as promising, cost-effective and efficient nanocatalysts and establishes the structure–catalytic activity relationships via scanning electrochemical microscopy at electrode/electrolyte interface besides mapping electrochemical (re)activity and electro-active site distribution.

 

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