Core–shell MoO3–MoS2 Nanowires for Hydrogen Evolution: A Functional Design for Electrocatalytic Materials

Abstract

We synthesize vertically oriented core–shell nanowires with substoichiometric MoO₃ cores of ∼20–50 nm and conformal MoS₂ shells of ∼2–5 nm. The core–shell architecture, produced by low-temperature sulfidization, is designed to utilize the best properties of each component material while mitigating their deficiencies. The substoichiometric MoO₃ core provides a high aspect ratio foundation and enables facile charge transport, while the conformal MoS₂ shell provides excellent catalytic activity and protection against corrosion in strong acids.