Abstract
One of the key challenges in commercializing proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer technology is reducing the production costs while maintaining high efficiency and operational stability. Significant contributors to the overall cost of the device are the electrode catalysts with IrO(2) and Pt/C. Due to the high cost and limited availability of noble metals, there is growing interest in developing alternative, low-cost catalytic materials. In recent years, two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDCs), such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS(2)) and rhenium disulfide (ReS(2)), have attracted considerable attention due to their promising electrochemical properties for hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs). These materials exhibit unique properties, such as a high surface area or catalytic activity localized at the edges of the layered structure, which can be further enhanced through defect engineering or phase modulation. To increase the catalytically active surface area, the investigated materials were deposited on a carbon-based support-Vulcan XC-72R-selected for its high electrical conductivity and large specific surface area. This study investigated the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of six catalyst samples with varying MoS(2) and ReS(2) to carbon support ratios. Among the composites analyzed, the best sample on MoS(2) (containing the most carbon soot) and the best sample on ReS(2) (containing the least carbon soot) were selected. These were then used as cathode catalysts in an experimental PEM electrolyzer setup. The results confirmed satisfactory catalytic activity of the tested materials, indicating their potential as alternatives to conventional noble metal-based catalysts and providing a foundation for further research in this area.