Multi-interface MoS₂/Ni₃S₄/Mo₂S₃ composite as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction over a...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Developing cost-efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) across a wide pH range is a significant challenge.
• Existing catalysts often suffer from limited stability or high cost, hindering practical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare a novel multi-interface MoS₂/Ni₃S₄/Mo₂S₃ composite on carbon cloth (CC) as an efficient electrocatalyst for HER.
• To evaluate the electrocatalytic performance and long-term stability of the composite over a broad pH range.

Main Methods:

• A facile one-pot strategy was employed using a bimetallic precursor ((NH₄)₄[NiH₆Mo₆O₂₄]·5H₂O, NiMo₆) and Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O with thiourea (TU).
• The precursor materials were converted into the MoS₂/Ni₃S₄/Mo₂S₃ composite loaded on carbon cloth (MoS₂/Ni₃S₄/Mo₂S₃/CC).

Main Results:

• The MoS₂/Ni₃S₄/Mo₂S₃/CC-24 h composite exhibited distinguished electrocatalytic performance for HER.
• Low overpotentials of 38 mV in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and 51 mV in 1.0 M KOH were achieved at 10 mA cm^-2.
• The catalyst demonstrated long-term stability in both acidic and alkaline media.

Conclusions:

• The novel MoS₂/Ni₃S₄/Mo₂S₃/CC composite serves as a highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst for HER over a wide pH range.
• This work offers a new approach for fabricating cost-efficient and durable HER electrocatalysts.