Recent Progress in the Synthesis and Engineering of High-Performance MoS₂ Electrocatalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has emerged as a promising non-precious metal electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), owing to its favorable electronic structure, chemical stability, and earth-abundant composition. However, its practical application remains hindered by limited electrical conductivity and restricted active site exposure. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in the synthesis and structural engineering of MoS2-based catalysts aimed at enhancing HER performance. Key strategies-including morphology tuning, phase modulation, defect engineering, and heterostructure construction-are systematically analyzed in terms of their effects on charge transport, catalytic site density, and intrinsic activity. Furthermore, insights into the correlation between atomic structure, electronic configuration, and HER kinetics are discussed to clarify fundamental structure-activity relationships. These developments underscore the potential of MoS2 as a cost-effective and scalable catalyst for sustainable hydrogen production, while providing valuable guidance for the rational design of next-generation HER materials.