PubMed · 15826154
Biomimetic hydrogen evolution: MoS2 nanoparticles as catalyst for hydrogen evolution.
Abstract
The electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction is catalyzed most effectively by the Pt group metals. As H2 is considered as a future energy carrier, the need for these catalysts will increase and alternatives to the scarce and expensive Pt group catalysts will be needed. We analyze the ability of different metal surfaces and of the enzymes nitrogenase and hydrogenase to catalyze the hydrogen evolution reaction and find a necessary criterion for high catalytic activity. The necessary criterion is that the binding free energy of atomic hydrogen to the catalyst is close to zero. The criterion enables us to search for new catalysts, and inspired by the nitrogenase active site, we find that MoS2 nanoparticles supported on graphite are a promising catalyst. They catalyze electrochemical hydrogen evolution at a moderate overpotential of 0.1-0.2 V.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Berit Hinnemann, Poul Georg Moses, Jacob Bonde, Kristina P Jørgensen, Jane H Nielsen, Sebastian Horch, Ib Chorkendorff, Jens K Nørskov. 2005-04-20. Biomimetic hydrogen evolution: MoS2 nanoparticles as catalyst for hydrogen evolution.. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja0504690
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.