Thermolysis Route for Accessing Amorphous Metal Sulfide Thin-Film Catalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

In this work, low temperature thermolysis of metal ethyl xanthates (M = Mo, Co, Fe, Ni) was used to prepare amorphous metal and mixed metal sulfide films on fluorine-doped tin oxide for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Films prepared by dip-coating showed optimal coverage, as monitored by scanning electron microscopy, using high precursor solution concentrations and slow/fast dip-coating retraction rates with low/high volatility solvents. X-ray diffraction confirmed that the films are amorphous. Direct preparation of the active form of amorphous molybdenum disulfide (a-MoS2), proven by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, was done, exhibiting electrochemical activity consonant with activated a-MoS2 in the literature. The addition of cobalt and iron to a-MoS2 at an optimal composition of 3:1 Mo:M showed a slight enhancement to current densities. Amorphous iron and cobalt showed activity toward the HER. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of metal sulfide and metal oxide species or homogeneous metal oxysulfide species.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Emara, Jennifer Salah

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Trudel, Simon
• Berlinguette, Curtis Paul

• Chemistry--Physical
• Energy
• Materials Science

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/28312

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/1736