RuSe2 nanoparticles loaded MoSe2 hybrid rods via interface engineering as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis

Despite being regarded as a favorable substitute for platinum-based catalysts in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) exhibits inferior electrocatalytic performance due to its inadequate conductivity and limited active sites. However, employing molecular engineering for modification holds great potential in significantly enhancing its performance, yet it still poses significant challenges. Herein, an interface engineering strategy was adopted to obtain RuSe2 modified MoSe2 composite catalysts (RuSe2/MoSe2). In alkaline media, RuSe2/MoSe2 exhibited a reduced overpotential of 147.8 mV at 10 mA cm−2 comparing with pristine MoSe2 (351.8 mV). Experimental findings and density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that increased conductivity, enhanced hydrophily and optimized adsorption free energies of *H contribute to its enhanced HER activity. This work opens up an interface engineering strategy for designing more efficient selenide-based electrocatalysts.