Efficient hydrogen evolution reaction activity induced by P-doped defective WS₂ nanosheets

Herein, tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanosheets were firstly prepared by ultrasonic stripping method. Subsequently, the mixture of WS2 nanosheets and P powder were treated by the Ar plasma, obtaining P-doped defective WS2 nanosheets (P-D-WS2 NSs). The as-prepared P-D-WS2 NSs samples exhibited higher catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction ( HER) than defective WS2 nanosheets and pure WS2 nanosheets, such as lower overpotential, smaller Tafel slope, and better durability. Density functional theory calculations showed that the P atoms and defective structures in WS2 regulated the electronic environment around the materials, optimizing the energy barrier of H+ adsorption and hydrogen formation kinetics performance, thus improving the HER electrocatalytic activity.