Nitrogen-doped
graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) were decorated on
a three-dimensional (3D) MoS
2
–reduced graphene oxide
(rGO) framework via a facile hydrothermal method. The distribution
of N-GQDs on the 3D MoS
2
–rGO framework was confirmed
using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray elemental
mapping, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques.
The resultant 3D nanohybrid was successfully demonstrated as an efficient
electrocatalyst toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) under alkaline
conditions. The chemical interaction between the electroactive N-GQDs
and MoS
2
–rGO and the increased surface area and
pore size of the N-GQDs/MoS
2
–rGO nanohybrid synergistically
improved the ORR onset potential to +0.81 V vs reversible hydrogen
electrode (RHE). Moreover, the N-GQDs/MoS
2
–rGO nanohybrid
showed better ORR stability for up to 3000 cycles with negligible
deviation in the half-wave potential (
E
1/2
). Most importantly, the N-GQDs/MoS
2
–rGO nanohybrid
exhibited a superior methanol tolerance ability even under a high
concentration of methanol (3.0 M) in alkaline medium. Hence, the development
of a low-cost metal-free graphene quantum dot-based 3D nanohybrid
with high methanol tolerance may open up a novel strategy to design
selective cathode electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cell applications.