Application of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides in Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

As a cornerstone of sustainable hydrogen generation, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) demands efficient, earth-abundant electrocatalysts to replace costly platinum benchmarks. Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D-TMDs) represent a highly promising class of non-precious materials for this application. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent progress in TMD-based HER catalysis. It begins by elucidating the intrinsic structural properties that underpin their catalytic potential, followed by a summary of key synthesis routes and characterization techniques. The central focus is on strategic engineering approaches to optimize TMD performance. Finally, we discuss persisting challenges and propose future research directions aimed at scalable production, advanced operando studies, and the design of bifunctional TMD catalysts for integrated water-splitting systems.