journal article·2026-01Open access

Dendritic WS 2 Nanoribbon Networks Grown in Interfacial Confinement Space: Edge‐Rich Architectures for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution

Hiroo Suzuki, Kaito Hirata, Yuta Takahashi, Shun Fujii, Masaaki Misawa, Tomoharu Tokunaga, Ichiro Nakaya, Yutaro Senda, Yasuhiko Hayashi, Yasufumi Takahashi

Small Structures· Volume 7· Issue 1

Abstract

Fractally grown dendritic nanostructures exhibit exceptional potential across various applications, particularly in electrochemical catalysis, owing to their high surface area and abundant reactive sites. Such structures can be synthesized via diffusion‐limited aggregation (DLA), which requires tightly controlled growth conditions, such as a low precursor supply rate. Two‐dimensional materials, especially transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), provide an ideal platform for realizing atomically precise dendritic architectures. In this study, we present a strategy for synthesizing fractal dendritic networks of monolayer WS 2 nanoribbons by employing an interfacial nanoreactor to create a highly confined growth environment. The dendritic WS 2 nanoribbons were formed at the interface between the monolayer WS 2 and the growth substrate, facilitating a DLA‐dominated growth regime. Atomic‐scale structural analysis revealed atomically sharp edges of dendritic WS 2 nanoribbon networks. High‐resolution scanning electrochemical cell microscopy demonstrated enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction activity, with the catalytic current localized at the dense edges. Furthermore, a combination of experimental analysis and theoretical modeling provided insights into the surface‐diffusion‐governed growth mechanism. These findings offer a new approach for designing edge‐rich TMDC nanostructures and pave the way for their integration into high‐performance catalytic and electrochemical devices.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion · 2D Materials and Applications · Dendrimers and Hyperbranched Polymers

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Graduate School of Environment, Life and Natural Science and Technology Okayama University Okayama Japan

Faculty of Environment, Life and Natural Science and Technology Okayama University Okayama Japan

Department of Physical Science and Engineering Nagoya Institute of Technology Nagoya Japan

Department of Electronics Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University Nagoya Japan

Department of Physics Faculty of Science and Technology Keio University Yokohama Japan

Department of Intelligent Mechanical Engineering Fukuoka Institute of Technology Fukuoka Japan

Department of Materials Design Innovation Engineering Nagoya University Nagoya Japan

WPI Nano Life Science Institute (WPI‐NanoLSI) Kanazawa University Kanazawa Japan

Research Institute for Quantum and Chemical Innovation Institutes of Innovation for Future Society Nagoya University Nagoya Japan

Funding

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science · Fusion Oriented REsearch for disruptive Science and Technology · ACT-X · Shorai Foundation for Science and Technology · Hirose Foundation · Kao Foundation for Arts and Sciences · Research Foundation for the Electrotechnology of Chubu

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