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Article

Synergistic MoS2–Gold Nanohybrids for Sustainable Hydrogen Production

by
Shrouq H. Aleithan
1,*,
Shroq S. Laradhi
2,
Kawther Al-Amer
2 and
Hany M. Abd El-Lateef
2,*
1
Department of Physics, College of Science, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
2
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Catalysts 2025, 15(6), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15060550
Submission received: 3 May 2025 / Revised: 26 May 2025 / Accepted: 28 May 2025 / Published: 1 June 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Application of Combined Catalysis)
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Abstract

:
Extensive research has been conducted on the catalytic properties of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) materials in the context of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). This study focuses on exploring hybrid MoS2/Au structures as a catalyst for HER, utilizing linear sweep voltammetry as the experimental methodology. Firstly, 2D-MoS2 flakes were synthesized by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) approach and directly added to gold nanoparticles during or after their preparation process. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX). The HER performance was tested for the two resulting samples to show that the preparation of gold nanoparticles with the coexistence of CVD-MoS2 flakes produces a superior electrocatalytic performance of the sample in a neutral medium. Notably, the onset potential was measured as −0.152 V (versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)) with an exchange current density (j0) of 0.22 mA/cm2. Chronoamperometric data show that all composites retained initial current densities for 15 hours, confirming stable, efficient HER performance post-decay.

1. Introduction

As the challenges of energy shortages, environmental degradation, and pollution persist, there has recently been increased interest in exploring clean and sustainable energy sources, such as hydrogen. Electrochemical water splitting technology stands out as a highly efficient and promising approach for environmentally friendly hydrogen production. This process comprises a cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and an anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) [1]. The electrocatalyst plays a crucial role in facilitating these reactions and minimizing power consumption [2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. Conventional electrocatalysts predominantly rely on nanomaterials derived from rare precious metals. For the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), platinum (Pt), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), and palladium (Pd) are widely used due to their high catalytic activity. In contrast, materials such as ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) and iridium dioxide (IrO2) are primarily employed for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) owing to their excellent oxidative stability and efficiency. However, their constrained availability and elevated costs have impeded broad-scale industrial implementation. Consequently, there has been growing interest in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), particularly molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), valued for its cost-effectiveness and efficacy as an electrocatalyst for the HER. MoS2 possesses a hexagonal tri-layered structure characterized by van der Waals interactions between individual tri-layers, employing versatile applications in energy storage, semiconductors, biomedicine, and electrocatalysis [2,9,10].
In response to the catalytic activity observed at the edge sites of MoS2, recent research has focused on either enhancing active edge site generation or improving the reactivity of the inert basal planes. Strategies such as chemical methods, including doping, and the manipulation of structural properties, such as crystallinity and nano-structuring, have been explored to expose more active edge sites. However, achieving these desired structures often requires using energy-intensive techniques, including atomic layer deposition, chemical vapor deposition, and hydrothermal methods. An alternative strategy involves the integration of MoS2 with other materials to form hybrids with enhanced electrical conductivity [2,11,12,13].
Metal nanoparticles, such as platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), nickel (Ni) and gold (Au), have been successfully integrated into MoS2 nanosheets to enhance their catalytic activity, particularly in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) [14]. Pt and Pd incorporation have proven effective in improving MoS2 activity, while MoS2 decorated with Au nanoparticles has demonstrated exceptional efficacy for the HER. Gold nanoparticles have demonstrated unique catalytic properties, especially at the nanoscale, including high selectivity, excellent stability, and resistance to toxicity, particularly in reactions involving oxygen-containing functional groups. These properties make gold catalysts preferable in some hybrid material systems where long-term stability and low activation energy are critical, even with high raw material costs [15,16,17,18,19,20]. The notable effectiveness of Au-decorated MoS2 is attributed to the robust Au-S interaction and the outstanding stability of the gold nanoparticles. This targeted decoration results in an improvement in the charge transport properties of MoS2, consequently leading to an enhancement in the catalytic efficiency for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) [15,16,17,18,19,20].
In this study, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets were first synthesized using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique, followed by different methods to incorporate gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). The primary objective of this research was to explore the influence of Au nanoparticle intercalation on the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of MoS2. To characterize the sample, a comprehensive set of analytical techniques was employed, including FTIR, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and SEM/EDX. These analyses aimed to provide a detailed understanding of the structural and compositional aspects of the synthesized nanocomposites. Subsequently, the HER activity of each specimen was evaluated, revealing a significant improvement in the performance of the hydrogen evolution reaction. This improvement was attributed to the presence of Au nanoparticles, which contributed to the increased surface area and improved electrical conductivity of MoS2.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. FTIR Spectra

Figure 1a shows absorption peaks in a range from 470 to 1400 cm−1, which are related to MoS2. The peaks near 1600 cm−1 and ~ 3000 cm−1 are associated with hydroxyl groups’ stretching and bending vibrations. The peak at 1400 cm−1 corresponds to the stretching vibration of S–Mo–S bonds. The Mo–S stretching vibration mode is between 490 and 620 cm−1 [21,22,23].

2.2. XRD Spectra

The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of MoS2 powder synthesized via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) confirms its crystalline structure. The XRD patterns, measured within the 2θ range of 10°–60°, exhibit diffraction peaks characteristic of 2H-MoS2, as identified by ICCD card numbers 37-1492. Peaks appear at 2θ values of 14.6°, 44.3°, and 60°, corresponding to the (002), (006) and (008) crystallographic planes, respectively [24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31].
The sharp and narrow XRD peaks suggest that the samples possess high crystallinity (Figure 1b) [32,33,34].

2.3. Raman Spectra

Raman spectroscopy serves as a reliable and non-destructive method for analyzing lattice vibrations and phonon modes in materials. Figure 1c presents the Raman spectra of the as-synthesized CVD-MoS2, showing two prominent peaks at approximately 383 cm⁻¹ and 403 cm⁻¹, corresponding to the E2g (in-plane) and A1g (out-of-plane) vibrational modes, respectively. The 20 cm⁻¹ separation between these peaks confirms the monolayer nature of MoS2 flakes. The E2g mode arises from opposite vibrations of Mo and S atoms in the plane, while the A1g mode is attributed to sulfur atoms vibrating out-of-plane. The sharp and intense E2g and A1g peaks reflect high crystallinity and the formation of the 2H phase [28,35].

2.4. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)

Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was employed to assess the size distribution of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized via the Turkevich method, revealing an average hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 26 nm (Figure 2).

2.5. SEM and EDS

The morphology of the sample was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at various magnifications, as shown in Figure 3. The SEM images (Figure 3a,b) illustrate the existence of expansive flakes characterized by irregular morphologies. These flakes display a micro-scale lateral dimension spanning from 1 to 100 µm, elucidating the superior crystalline structure and well-defined XRD peaks observed in this sample (Figure 1b).
EDX data were utilized to determine the elemental composition of the samples (Figure 3c, Table 1). The analysis revealed prominent peaks indicating the presence of Mo and S. Nevertheless, the utilization of the EDX spectrum was not viable for accurately determining the precise composition ratio due to the overlapping peaks of S (K = 2.31 keV) and Mo (L = 2.29 keV) [36].

2.6. HER Activity of CVD-MoS2/Au in Neutral Medium

In this study, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performances of CVD-MoS2, CVD-MoS2 + Au, and CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au electrodes in a 1M KCl electrolyte are assessed, and the results are shown in Figure 4. In a neutral medium, the CVD-MoS2 electrode exhibits an onset potential of 0.215 V (Figure 4a) at a current density of 1 mA/cm2. The maximum current density achieved is 4.3 mA/cm2 at an overpotential of 0.372 V, with an exchange current density (j0) of 0.149 mA/cm2 at 0.0 V. The addition of prepared gold to CVD-MoS2 results in an increase in the onset potential to 0.289 V, with a cathodic current of 5.2 mA/cm2 and a j0 of 0.186 mA/cm2. The CVD-MoS2 + Au electrode shows the best HER performance, with an onset potential of 0.152 V (Figure 4a) at 1 mA/cm2, a j0 of 0.22 mA/cm2, and a maximum current density of 8.4 mA/cm2 at an overpotential of 0.372 V.
The Tafel slopes, presented in Figure 4b, are 0.308 V/dec for CVD-MoS2, 0.126 V/dec for CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au, and 0.255 V/dec for CVD-MoS2 + Au. The CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au catalyst demonstrates the fastest HER kinetics, as evidenced by the lowest Tafel slope of 0.126 V/dec (Table 2).
As shown in Figure 5a, the polarization curve for CVD-MoS2 (red curve) reveals an onset potential—defined here as the potential at which a noticeable catalytic current starts to appear, specifically when the current density exceeds 1.0 mA/cm2—of 0.311 V, accompanied by a steep rise in current density as the overpotential increases. The current density increases with rising overpotential, reaching 2.60 mA/cm2 within the measured range. The exchange current density (j0), corresponding to the current density at 0.0 V, is 0.11 mA/cm2, indicating moderate intrinsic HER activity. Upon the incorporation of Au nanoparticles, the onset potential is reduced to 0.304 V, and the cathodic current improves significantly, reaching 7.48 mA/cm2 for CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au and 7.27 mA/cm2 for CVD-MoS2 + Au, while enhancing the j0 value to around 0.199 mA/cm2 (green curve).
The corresponding Tafel plots in Figure 5b and values in Table 3 support these observations. The Tafel slope is a key indicator of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics, with lower values denoting more favorable catalytic performance. As shown, the pristine CVD-MoS2 electrode exhibits a Tafel slope of 0.488 V/dec, while the hybrid catalysts show lower slopes of 0.212 V/dec for CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au and 0.185 V/dec for CVD-MoS2 + Au, indicating more favorable HER kinetics. Although the exchange current densities for the hybrids (0.199 and 0.0123 mA/cm2, respectively) are lower than that of unmodified MoS2, the reduced Tafel slopes and higher current densities reflect an overall enhancement in HER activity. In contrast, the Au-only catalyst shows poor performance, with a high onset potential of 0.492 V, a cathodic current of only 1.15 mA/cm2, a Tafel slope of 0.204 V/dec, and the lowest j0 value (0.0027 mA/cm2). These findings suggest that the controlled synthesis of hybrid materials combining Au and MoS2 can significantly enhance HER efficiency by leveraging beneficial electronic interactions and robust performance across various environments.
The enhanced HER activity observed in the Au-modified MoS2 flakes can be directly correlated with their physicochemical characteristics. SEM imaging confirms the preservation of the flake-like morphology after Au nanoparticle deposition, while XRD patterns and Raman spectra indicate high crystallinity and a well-defined 2H-MoS2 phase. This structural order is crucial for maintaining efficient charge carrier pathways. The introduction of Au nanoparticles provides additional active sites and improves electrical conductivity, which facilitates faster electron transfer, particularly at the MoS2–Au interface. This is evidenced by the decreased onset potential and increased exchange current density. Furthermore, the Tafel slope of ~126 mV/dec suggests that the HER follows a Volmer–Heyrovsky mechanism, with the Heyrovsky step being the rate-limiting process. The presence of Au likely accelerates this step by enhancing surface electron availability, leading to improved overall kinetics. Thus, the synergistic effect between MoS2 flakes and Au nanoparticles underpins the superior catalytic performance.

2.7. Chronoamperometry Studies of the MoS2+ Au Sample

The stability levels of all prepared samples were evaluated using chronoamperometric measurements. To assess the stability of Au, CVD-MoS2, CVD-MoS2 + Au, and CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au composites, chronoamperometry was conducted at a fixed potential of 0.5 V vs. RHE for up to 1000 min in neutral medium, as shown in Figure 6. The results demonstrate that the electrodes modified with Au, CVD-MoS2, CVD-MoS2 + Au, and CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au composites exhibited stable and continuous current responses with minimal decline over time. The gradual decrease in current density observed in Figure 6 can be primarily attributed to the rapid diffusion of electroactive species at the electrode interface. After an initial current drop during the first 5 min, the current stabilized and remained nearly constant for the remainder of the test duration (up to 1000 minutes). This sustained current output highlights the electrochemical stability of the electrodes. Overall, the chronoamperometric data indicate that all tested composites effectively retained their initial current densities for up to 15 h, demonstrating consistent performance and high efficiency in promoting hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity following the initial decay phase. The constant and consistent current densities over a long period of time strongly indicate that any potential gold leaching was very small and negligible and did not affect the catalytic performance.

2.8. Comparative Study of Recent Literature on the Use of MoS2/Au as a Catalyst for the HER

As presented in Table 4, the electrochemical performance of the synthesized composite was benchmarked against data from prior studies. While the observed Tafel slope exceeded the typical range reported for MoS2-based catalysts, this discrepancy may have arisen from inherent material properties or synthesis-induced variations that impeded charge transfer kinetics. Despite this, the composite exhibited a markedly enhanced onset potential of 154 mV, which is substantially lower than previously reported values. This improvement suggests more favorable initial proton adsorption and earlier activation of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Collectively, our results highlight the enhanced HER performance of the MoS2/Au hybrid system, particularly in neutral media, and underscore the critical role of gold nanoparticle incorporation in improving both catalytic efficiency and operational durability. While gold is indeed a precious metal, its overall contribution to the cost of the MoS2/Au catalyst is modest due to the low loading and high catalytic efficiency achieved. Notably, our catalyst exhibits superior electrocatalytic performance in a neutral medium, significantly reducing the actual cost per application. Furthermore, with continued developments in scalable synthesis technologies and gold nanoparticle extraction methods, the economic barriers associated with gold are expected to decrease, enhancing the feasibility of the MoS2/Au system for broader practical applications.

3. Experimental Procedures

3.1. Materials and Reagent

The chemicals were of analytical grade and utilized as received without further purification. Hydrogen tetrachloroaurate (III) trihydrate (HAuCl4·3H2O- Sigma Aldrich Ltd., St. Louis, MI, USA), Trisodium citrate (C6H5Na3O7- Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MI, USA), MoO3 (99.5% AlfaAesar, Heysham, UK), S powders (99.9%, VWR Chemicals, San Diego, CA, USA), and NaCl were employed. All solutions were prepared using double-distilled water at room temperature (25 °C).

3.2. Synthesis of Au

A total of 2.0 mL of trisodium citrate solution (0.01M) was added to a 250 mL round-bottom flask containing 50 mL of water and stirred with a magnetic stirrer. Upon reaching boiling point, 1 mL of the 0.01 M prepared HAuCl4 solution was swiftly added to the boiling mixture. Over 5 min, the solution transitioned in color from light purple, indicative of larger particle sizes, to ruby red, signaling the formation of nano-sized particles. Following 10 min of boiling, the heating source was turned off, allowing the colloid to cool naturally [38,39,40].

3.3. Synthesis of CVD-MoS2

A water solution containing sodium chloride (NaCl) and molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) in a 40% ratio was prepared and subjected to sonication for 45 min. A small amount of this solution was dropped onto a quartz boat and heated to 323 K to remove the water content, leaving homogenous coverage. It was placed in a 1.5-inch quartz tube furnace positioned 18 cm from a 200 mg sulfur powder. Initially, the tube was cleansed by purging with a high flow rate of nitrogen gas (N2) before reducing it to 5 SCCM to maintain the sublimated vapor until the growth temperature was reached. The temperature of the furnace was subsequently elevated to 780 °C. Meanwhile, sulfur was heated externally to 250 °C and introduced into the system at a flow rate of 20 standard cubic centimeters per minute (SCCM) for a 20-minute growth period. Then, the furnace cooled down naturally to reach room temperature. The resulting flakes material was collected from the boat in powdered form, which was then dispersed in distilled water and sonicated for 3 hours to yield a solution of 2D MoS2 flakes [41].
CVD-MoS2/Au: A total of 1 mL of suspension CVD-MoS2 was added to a 10 mL glass bottle, then 1 mL of HAuCl4 solution was gradually added during magnetic stirring. The mixture was ultrasonicated for 5 min to ensure uniformity. Subsequently, a volume of 3 mL of sodium citrate solution was introduced into the mixture, and the glass container was transferred to a water bath set at a temperature of 96 °C while being subjected to magnetic stirring. This process continued until a homogeneously distributed black–purple mixture was achieved [9,42].
CVD-MoS2/prepared Au: A total of 1 mL of suspension CVD-MoS2 was added into a 10 mL glass bottle, then 4 mL of prepared Au solution (mentioned previously) was gradually added during magnetic stirring. The mixture was ultrasonicated for 5 min to ensure uniformity. Then, it was transferred to a water bath set at a temperature of 96 °C while being subjected to magnetic stirring. This process continued until a homogeneously distributed black–purple mixture was achieved.

3.4. Fabrication of MoS2 Modified GCE

The electrode was prepared using the following steps: First, 5 mL of CVD-MoS2 solution and 30 µL of Nafion solution were mixed and dispersed at room temperature, followed by a 1-hour ultrasonic treatment. Then, 5 µL of the resulting dispersion was drop-cast onto the surface of a 3 mm glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The modified GCE was left to dry at room temperature for 24 h [43].

3.5. Samples Characterization

The samples were analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis (Malvern, GH Eindhove, Netherlands), with Cu Kα radiation (λ = 0.154 nm), was conducted to assess crystallinity. Raman spectroscopy was performed with a Raman microscope operating at an excitation wavelength of 445 nm. The sample morphologies were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (Tescan Vega 3 SBU, Czech Republic), and the energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra were obtained with the same SEM instrument. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis was also performed to determine the size of the Au particles.

3.6. Electrochemical Measurements

All electrochemical measurements were conducted at room temperature in either 0.5 M H2SO4 or 1.0 M KCl solutions using a PGSTAT204 electrochemical potentiostat (Metrohm Autolab, Netherlands). A three-electrode system was used, where the fabricated electrode served as the working electrode, Ag/AgCl/KCl(sat.) served as the reference electrode, and a Pt wire served as the counter electrode. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) was performed in the potential range of −1 to 0.3 V at a scan rate of 0.1 V/s. Chronoamperometry measurements were conducted by applying a constant potential of +0.5 V versus a saturated Ag/AgCl reference electrode (Ag/AgCl/KCl(sat.)) using a standard three-electrode electrochemical cell configuration. The working electrode was held at this fixed potential throughout the experiment to monitor the resulting current response over time, allowing for the analysis of electrochemical kinetics and diffusion-controlled processes. All potential values were recorded for the Ag/AgCl reference electrode and then calibrated to the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE).

4. Conclusions

In this study, we synthesize CVD-MoS2 flakes, modify the sample with Au nanoparticles, and evaluate their performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). All the analysis tools, such as SEM, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy, confirm the 2D MoS2 flake structure with high crystalline. The HER performance of the CVD-MoS2 and Au-modified MoS2 flakes is assessed through polarization techniques in both acidic and neutral electrolytes. The Au-MoS2 flakes exhibit a significant reduction in onset potential (0.152 V at 1.0 mA/cm2), a higher exchange current density (j0 = 0.22 mA/cm2), and a maximum current density of 8.4 mA/cm2 at an overpotential of 0.372 V, demonstrating superior catalytic activity. These findings highlight the fact that integrating Au nanoparticles with MoS2 can effectively enhance catalytic efficiency, offering a promising approach for efficient hydrogen production. The observed Tafel slopes (~126 mV/dec) suggest that the HER proceeds via a Volmer–Heyrovsky mechanism, wherein the initial proton adsorption (the Volmer step) is relatively fast and the electrochemical desorption of hydrogen (the Heyrovsky step) governs the overall kinetics. The enhanced performance upon Au integration indicates improved charge transfer at the MoS2–Au interface, likely accelerating the Heyrovsky step. Chronoamperometry at 0.5 V vs. RHE for 1000 min shows that all electrodes maintain stable current with minimal decay, confirming their electrochemical stability and efficiency for sustained HER activity.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, S.H.A., S.S.L., K.A.-A. and H.M.A.E.-L.; methodology, S.H.A. and K.A.-A.; formal analysis, S.H.A. and S.S.L.; investigation, K.A.-A., S.S.L., S.H.A. and H.M.A.E.-L.; writing—original draft preparation, S.H.A. and S.S.L.; review and editing, S.H.A. and H.M.A.E.-L.; supervision, K.A.-A. and S.H.A. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This work is funded by King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia [Project No. KFU251515].

Data Availability Statement

Data is contained within this article.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research, Vice Presidency for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia [Grant No. KFU251515].

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Catalysts 15 00550 g001
Figure 1. (a) The FTIR spectrum of the CVD-MoS2 composite. (b) The XRD pattern of the CVD-MoS2 composite. (c) The Raman spectrum of the CVD-MoS2 composite.
Figure 1. (a) The FTIR spectrum of the CVD-MoS2 composite. (b) The XRD pattern of the CVD-MoS2 composite. (c) The Raman spectrum of the CVD-MoS2 composite.
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Catalysts 15 00550 g002
Figure 2. Dynamic light scattering of Au nanoparticles: (Q3) Cumulative Volume Distribution, and (q3) Volume Density Distribution.
Figure 2. Dynamic light scattering of Au nanoparticles: (Q3) Cumulative Volume Distribution, and (q3) Volume Density Distribution.
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Catalysts 15 00550 g003
Figure 3. SEM images of the CVD-MoS2 sample were captured at various magnifications, denoted as (a–d). (e) The EDS spectrum of CVD-MoS2. (f) The EDS map of CVD-MoS2. EDS maps of Mo and S elements in samples (g) and (h), respectively.
Figure 3. SEM images of the CVD-MoS2 sample were captured at various magnifications, denoted as (a–d). (e) The EDS spectrum of CVD-MoS2. (f) The EDS map of CVD-MoS2. EDS maps of Mo and S elements in samples (g) and (h), respectively.
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Figure 4. HER activity in neutral medium: (a) polarization curve; (b) Tafel plot of the Au, CVD-MoS2, CVD-MoS2 + Au, and CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au composites in KCl.
Figure 4. HER activity in neutral medium: (a) polarization curve; (b) Tafel plot of the Au, CVD-MoS2, CVD-MoS2 + Au, and CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au composites in KCl.
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Catalysts 15 00550 g005
Figure 5. (a) The polarization curves of the Au, CVD-MoS2, CVD-MoS2 + Au, and CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au. (b) The Tafel plot of the Au, CVD-MoS2, CVD-MoS2+ Au and CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au composites in H2SO4.
Figure 5. (a) The polarization curves of the Au, CVD-MoS2, CVD-MoS2 + Au, and CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au. (b) The Tafel plot of the Au, CVD-MoS2, CVD-MoS2+ Au and CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au composites in H2SO4.
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Catalysts 15 00550 g006
Figure 6. The chronoamperometry of the Au, CVD-MoS2, CVD-MoS2 + Au and CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au composites in neutral medium at the applied potential of 0.5 V vs. RHE.
Figure 6. The chronoamperometry of the Au, CVD-MoS2, CVD-MoS2 + Au and CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au composites in neutral medium at the applied potential of 0.5 V vs. RHE.
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Table 1. Atomic composition of MoS2 flakes.
Table 1. Atomic composition of MoS2 flakes.
ElementAt. No.Mass [%]Atom [%]
Oxygen828.882.24
Sulfur822.351.59
Molybdenum4248.762.63
Sum 100.00
Table 2. The electrochemical parameters were calculated to evaluate the HER performances of all the prepared MoS2 catalysts in KCl.
Table 2. The electrochemical parameters were calculated to evaluate the HER performances of all the prepared MoS2 catalysts in KCl.
CatalystOnset Potential (V)Cathodic Current *
(mA/ cm 2)		Tafel (sV/dec)Exchange Current mA cm−2 (j0)
Au0.3571.40.1910.111
CVD-MoS20.2154.30.3080.149
CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au0.2895.20.1260.186
CVD-MoS2 + Au0.1528.40.2550.22
* at 0.372 V
Table 3. Electrochemical parameters were calculated to evaluate the HER performances of all the prepared MoS2 catalysts in H2SO4.
Table 3. Electrochemical parameters were calculated to evaluate the HER performances of all the prepared MoS2 catalysts in H2SO4.
CatalystOnset Potential (V)Cathodic Current *
(mA/ cm 2)		Tafel (V/dec)Exchange Current mA cm−2 (j0)
Au0.4921.150.2040.0027
CVD-MoS20.3112.60.4880.11
CVD-MoS2 + prepared Au0.3047.480.2120.199
CVD-MoS2 + Au0.3047.270.1850.0123
Table 4. A comparison of recent literature on the use of MoS2/Au as a catalyst for the HER.
Table 4. A comparison of recent literature on the use of MoS2/Au as a catalyst for the HER.
Catalyst Supporting ElectrodeElectrolyteHER onset (V)Tafel (mV/dec)Ref
MoS2-AuGCH2SO40.250[11]
MoS2-AuGCKCl0.2771[37]
MoS2-AuSi substrateH2SO40.34099.8[12]
W- MoS2-AuSi substrateH2SO40.19086.9[12]
CVD-MoS2GCH2SO40.31488This work
CVD-MoS2/AuGCH2SO40.304185This work
CVD-MoS2/Prepared AuGCH2SO40.306212This work
CVD-MoS2GCKCl0.215308This work
CVD-MoS2/AuGCKCl0.152255This work
CVD-MoS2/Prepared AuGCKCl0.289126This work
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Aleithan, S.H.; Laradhi, S.S.; Al-Amer, K.; El-Lateef, H.M.A. Synergistic MoS2–Gold Nanohybrids for Sustainable Hydrogen Production. Catalysts 2025, 15, 550. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15060550

AMA Style

Aleithan SH, Laradhi SS, Al-Amer K, El-Lateef HMA. Synergistic MoS2–Gold Nanohybrids for Sustainable Hydrogen Production. Catalysts. 2025; 15(6):550. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15060550

Chicago/Turabian Style

Aleithan, Shrouq H., Shroq S. Laradhi, Kawther Al-Amer, and Hany M. Abd El-Lateef. 2025. "Synergistic MoS2–Gold Nanohybrids for Sustainable Hydrogen Production" Catalysts 15, no. 6: 550. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15060550

APA Style

Aleithan, S. H., Laradhi, S. S., Al-Amer, K., & El-Lateef, H. M. A. (2025). Synergistic MoS2–Gold Nanohybrids for Sustainable Hydrogen Production. Catalysts, 15(6), 550. https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15060550

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