This study reports on the enhanced catalytic activity of strained chemically exfoliated WS₂ nanosheets for hydrogen evolution. The research demonstrates that the catalytic performance of WS₂ nanosheets is significantly improved due to the high concentration of strained 1T phase in the as-exfoliated nanosheets. Atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopy analyses show that the strained 1T phase enhances the density of states at the Fermi level, increasing the catalytic activity of the WS₂ nanosheets. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the strain in the 1T phase leads to an increase in catalytic activity. The study also shows that the 1T phase is more catalytically active than the 2H phase, with the 1T phase exhibiting a lower overpotential and a lower Tafel slope for hydrogen evolution. The catalytic activity of the WS₂ nanosheets was measured using electrochemical techniques, and the results show that the 1T phase has a higher turnover frequency (TOF) for hydrogen evolution compared to the 2H phase and bulk WS₂ powder. The study also demonstrates that the 1T phase is more stable under electrocatalytic operation, with the current density remaining constant over a long period of operation. The results suggest that chemically exfoliated WS₂ nanosheets could be promising catalysts for hydrogen evolution due to their high catalytic activity and stability. The study also shows that the presence of strain in the 1T phase is an important factor in enhancing the catalytic activity of WS₂ nanosheets. The findings highlight the potential of WS₂ nanosheets as efficient and sustainable catalysts for hydrogen evolution.This study reports on the enhanced catalytic activity of strained chemically exfoliated WS₂ nanosheets for hydrogen evolution. The research demonstrates that the catalytic performance of WS₂ nanosheets is significantly improved due to the high concentration of strained 1T phase in the as-exfoliated nanosheets. Atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopy analyses show that the strained 1T phase enhances the density of states at the Fermi level, increasing the catalytic activity of the WS₂ nanosheets. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the strain in the 1T phase leads to an increase in catalytic activity. The study also shows that the 1T phase is more catalytically active than the 2H phase, with the 1T phase exhibiting a lower overpotential and a lower Tafel slope for hydrogen evolution. The catalytic activity of the WS₂ nanosheets was measured using electrochemical techniques, and the results show that the 1T phase has a higher turnover frequency (TOF) for hydrogen evolution compared to the 2H phase and bulk WS₂ powder. The study also demonstrates that the 1T phase is more stable under electrocatalytic operation, with the current density remaining constant over a long period of operation. The results suggest that chemically exfoliated WS₂ nanosheets could be promising catalysts for hydrogen evolution due to their high catalytic activity and stability. The study also shows that the presence of strain in the 1T phase is an important factor in enhancing the catalytic activity of WS₂ nanosheets. The findings highlight the potential of WS₂ nanosheets as efficient and sustainable catalysts for hydrogen evolution.