Co-MOF induced “blossom branch like” MoS2@Co9S8/C nanofibers as a bifunctional catalyst for HER and OER

Abstract

The design and heterostructure construction of electrocatalysts is an essential approach for accomplishing bifunctional catalytic activity toward hydrogen and oxygen evolution (HER/OER). Here, MoS2@Co9S8/C composite nanofibers with a “blossom branch” distributed structure were prepared via a facile method. Unlike traditional composites, the MoS2 and Co9S8 consistently grow together due to the coaxed growing effect of Co toward MoS2, forming flower-like MoS2@Co9S8 nanoparticles and staggered distributed on carbon nanofibers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements, and density functional theory (DFT) calculation revealed that the close mutual combination between MoS2 and Co9S8 enhances the synergistic effect of the heterointerface, which improves the chemisorption of intermediates and further facility the catalytic reaction. MoS2@Co9S8/C composite nanofibers exhibited high activity toward HER and OER. This work provides a facile strategy for designing a heterostructure that with close mutual heterogeneous combination and without aggregation.