Three-dimensional cross-linked Co-MoS₂ catalyst on carbon cloth for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)-based materials show promise as hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts.
• Key challenges include limited active edge sites, inactive basal planes, and poor conductivity, hindering their practical application.
• Developing strategies to address these limitations simultaneously under mild conditions is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel three-dimensional self-supported cross-linked (3DSC) cobalt-molybdenum disulfide (Co-MoS2) nanostructured electrocatalyst.
• To enhance the HER activity of MoS2 by increasing active sites and improving electronic conductivity.
• To provide a facile strategy for designing efficient HER electrocatalysts.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of 3DSC Co-MoS2 nanostructures using cobalt carbonate hydroxide (CoCH) nanosheets as a substrate.
• Integration of the 3DSC Co-MoS2 catalyst onto carbon cloth (CC) for electrode fabrication.
• Electrochemical evaluation of the catalyst's performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Main Results:

• The 3DSC Co-MoS2 catalyst exhibits abundant active sites and enhanced electronic transfer capabilities.
• Cobalt (Co) effectively activates the basal-plane sulfur atoms in MoS2, creating new reactive centers.
• The integrated electrode achieved low overpotentials of 40 mV and 119 mV at current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm-2, respectively.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3DSC Co-MoS2 catalyst demonstrates superior HER performance compared to previously reported MoS2-based catalysts.
• This work presents an effective and facile strategy for improving MoS2-based electrocatalysts for efficient hydrogen evolution.
• The findings contribute to the advancement of catalysts for clean energy applications.