This study investigates the enhanced catalytic activity of strained chemically exfoliated WS₂ nanosheets for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The researchers found that the nanosheets, which primarily consist of the 1T (octahedral) phase, exhibit significantly improved HER performance due to the high concentration of strained metallic regions. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the strain in the 1T phase increases the density of states at the Fermi level, enhancing catalytic activity. The as-exfoliated WS₂ nanosheets showed low overpotentials and high turnover frequencies (TOFs), making them promising candidates for efficient and sustainable hydrogen production. The stability of the 1T phase was also evaluated, demonstrating its long-term electrochemical stability. These findings suggest that chemically exfoliated WS₂ nanosheets could be valuable catalysts for hydrogen evolution.This study investigates the enhanced catalytic activity of strained chemically exfoliated WS₂ nanosheets for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The researchers found that the nanosheets, which primarily consist of the 1T (octahedral) phase, exhibit significantly improved HER performance due to the high concentration of strained metallic regions. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the strain in the 1T phase increases the density of states at the Fermi level, enhancing catalytic activity. The as-exfoliated WS₂ nanosheets showed low overpotentials and high turnover frequencies (TOFs), making them promising candidates for efficient and sustainable hydrogen production. The stability of the 1T phase was also evaluated, demonstrating its long-term electrochemical stability. These findings suggest that chemically exfoliated WS₂ nanosheets could be valuable catalysts for hydrogen evolution.