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Updated: Sep 18, 2025
08:40
Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
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A crystalline-amorphous Co9S8/CoOOH heterostructure enables efficient and stable SOR-coupled hydrogen evolution
Yonglong Pan1, Peng Dai1, Zelin Yang1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China. daipeng@ahu.edu.cn.
Dalton Transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
|June 20, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a novel crystalline-amorphous cobalt sulfide/oxide heterostructure on nickel foam for efficient hydrogen production. The advanced electrocatalyst significantly lowers energy requirements for the sulfur oxidation reaction coupled with hydrogen evolution.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Sustainable Energy
Background:
- Efficient electrocatalysts are crucial for sustainable hydrogen production via sulfur oxidation reaction (SOR)-coupled hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
- Developing durable catalysts that overcome challenges like low efficiency and electrode passivation is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel crystalline-amorphous cobalt sulfide/oxide heterostructure for enhanced SOR-coupled HER.
- To investigate the synergistic effects and structural advantages of the designed electrocatalyst.
Main Methods:
- A hydrogen peroxide-assisted hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize the Co9S8/CoOOH heterostructure on nickel foam (NF).
- Electrochemical techniques were used to evaluate the catalytic performance in a 1.0 M NaOH + 1.0 M Na2S electrolyte.
Main Results:
- The crystalline-amorphous Co9S8/CoOOH@NF nanocomposite demonstrated significantly reduced SOR onset potential (0.417 V) compared to the pristine material (1.42 V).
- Achieved a high current density of 100 mA cm-2 at 0.373 V with excellent stability for 40 hours.
- The heterostructure design optimized charge transfer, increased active sites, and prevented electrode passivation.
Conclusions:
- The crystalline-amorphous Co9S8/CoOOH@NF heterostructure is a highly efficient and durable bifunctional electrocatalyst for SOR-coupled HER.
- The synergistic interfacial interactions and self-adaptive amorphous layer contribute to enhanced performance and stability.
- This work presents a new strategy for designing advanced electrocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen evolution.
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