Rational Design of Efficient Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: Single Layers of WS₂ Nanoplates Anchored to Hollow Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanofibers

To exploit the benefits of nanostructuring for enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), we employed coaxial electrospinning to synthesize single-layered WS₂ nanoplates anchored to hollow nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers (WS₂@HNCNFs) as efficient electrocatalysts. For comparison, bulk WS₂ powder and single layers of WS₂ embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers (WS₂@NCNFs) were synthesized and electrochemically tested. The distinctive design of the WS₂@HNCNFs enables remarkable electrochemical performances showing a low overpotential with reduced charge transfer resistance, a small Tafel slope, and excellent durability. The experimental results highlight the importance of nanostructure engineering in electrocatalysts for enhanced HER