Shelling with MoS2: Functional CuS@MoS2 hybrids as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions

Abstract

The development of noble-metal free electrocatalysts is of high importance for clean energy conversion applications. MoS2 has been considered as a promising low-cost catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), however its activity is limited by poor conductivity and low abundance of active sites.Moreover, its suitability as an effective catalyst for other reactions, in particluar the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), was hardly explored to date. Herein, we show hybrid nanostructures of shelled CuS particles with MoS2 layers, which produces several outcomes: The MoS2 shell is strained and defective, and charge transfer from the core to MoS2 occurs, enabling activation of the basal plane of MoS2.Changing the feed ratio of the precursors led to control over morphology, such that the wrapping of the cores with the shell was continuously varied and characterized. We found an optimal hybrid structure, which provided high electrochemical active surface area and fast charge transfer kinetics, leading to improved activity not only towards HER (overpotential of 225 mV at 10 mA cm −2 ), but also for the sluggish ORR (onset potential 0.87 V vs RHE).

Recent advances in MoS2-based materials for electrocatalysis

“…(6) In addition to the fields of HER/NRR/CO 2 RR activity, in just the past few years, owing to its superior electronic properties and capacities, MoS 2 has also been widely employed in a wide range of applications such as the environmental applications, 222 electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), 223 NO reduction, 224 supercapacitors, 225 sensors, 226 secondary batteries ( e.g. , Li-ion batteries (LIBs), 227 Li–S batteries, 228 Li–O 2 batteries, 229 Na–S batteries, 230 Na–O 2 batteries, 231 Mg-ion batteries, 232 Al-ion batteries, 233 and Na-ion batteries, 234 etc.…”

Modulating the Electronic Properties of MoS2 Nanosheets for Electrochemical Hydrogen Production: A Review

“…For example, Sadan et al synthesized a functional CuS@MoS 2 hybrid electrocatalyst with an overpotential of 225 mV at 10 mA cm −2 . 114 Liu et al reported a self-healing γ-FeOOH decorated onto MoS 2 nanosheets, which only needed 291 mV overpotential to reach 300 mA cm −2 and kept stable at 100 mA cm −2 for 20 h. 115 Benefiting from the high content of the bridging S 2 2− in MoS 2 and the synergistic effect of MoS 2 , MoO 3 −x, and Ni 3 S 2 , the MoS 2 −MoO 3 −x/Ni 3 S 2 heterostructure exhibited excellent catalytic activity toward the HER in 1.0 M KOH solution with an overpotential of 76 mV at 10 mA cm −2 and an excellent stability over 17 h, which was the best among the reported MoS 2 -based hybrid electrocatalysts for the alkaline HER. 116 In conclusion, construction of heterostructures can optimize the activity of MoS 2 , adjust the electronic structure, accelerate electron transfer, and improve the adsorption free energy.…”

Hybrid Nanostructure of Mixed Transition Metal Oxysulfides Supported by Porous PBA as Efficient Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

“…TMDCs, especially sulfides, [25][26][27] selenides, [28][29][30] and oxides, [31,32] have recently attained tremendous interest as electrocatalysts for water-splitting because of their stability, abundance, and cost-effectiveness. [33,34] In the family of common TMDCs, tungsten is the heaviest one; therefore, controlling its compound properties is easier.…”