Strained W(Se_xS_1-x)₂ Nanoporous Films for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

A W(Se_xS_1-x)₂ nanoporous architecture (NPA) was developed by facile anodic and chemical vapor deposition treatments. The ternary W(Se_xS_1-x)₂ NPA offers significant advantages toward high-efficiency hydrogen generation: (i) Nanoporous morphology provides more electrochemically active sites to split water. (ii) Lattice mismatch and disordering in the mix-phased W(Se_xS_1-x)₂ film introduce more defects to enhance the catalytic activity. (iii) Conducting 1T phase formed in the strained W(Se_xS_1-x)₂ facilitates the electron transfer during catalytic reactions. Therefore, an onset overpotential of 45 mV and a Tafel slope of 59 mV dec^-1 were achieved using the as-prepared W(Se_xS_1-x)₂ NPA.