biostudies-literatureHe MHarbin Institute of TechnologyNational Natural Science Foundation of China14369-14376https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9079879biostudies-literatureUnknown8(26)Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is a promising electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), but only edges and S-vacancies are catalytic active sites for the HER. Therefore, it is crucial to increase edge sites and S-vacancies for enhancing the HER activity of MoS₂. Here, we report an enhanced HER activity of MoS₂ by combing vertical nanosheets and H₂ annealing. Compared to horizontal MoS₂ nanosheets, pristine vertical MoS₂ nanosheets showed better HER activity due to a larger amount of edges. H₂ annealing further enhanced the HER activity of vertical MoS₂ nanosheets remarkably. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) wRSC advancesEnhanced hydrogen evolution reaction activity of hydrogen-annealed vertical MoS₂ nanosheets.PMC9079879214730462120304611374074New Faculty Start-up FundsLv ZGao BYin GHe MKong FSun XShi HfalseEnhanced hydrogen evolution reaction activity of hydrogen-annealed vertical MoS₂ nanosheets.Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is a promising electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), but only edges and S-vacancies are catalytic active sites for the HER. Therefore, it is crucial to increase edge sites and S-vacancies for enhancing the HER activity of MoS₂. Here, we report an enhanced HER activity of MoS₂ by combing vertical nanosheets and H₂ annealing. Compared to horizontal MoS₂ nanosheets, pristine vertical MoS₂ nanosheets showed better HER activity due to a larger amount of edges. H₂ annealing further enhanced the HER activity of vertical MoS₂ nanosheets remarkably. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) w2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Apr2025-04-19T09:18:57.414Z2025-04-19T09:18:57.414ZS-EPMC90798793554076110.1039/c8ra01147h