Cobalt sulfide nanoparticles supported on beryllium copper needles as advanced catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Non-precious transition metal electrocatalysts, which have excellent catalytic performance and cheap cost, enable developable and sustainable hydrogen production via water separation. Cobalt-based transition metal compounds, especially sulfide, are the most efficient and stable electrocatalysts of them. In this work, we report a CoS nanoparticles array on beryllium copper needles as a high potency electrocatalyst in basic electrolyte. Owing to the excellent electron transfer capability of beryllium copper needles, the as-prepared catalyst is effective in catalyzing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with the overpotential of 73 mV, to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm−2 and can maintain excellent performance. Correspondingly, the Tafel slope of the electrode reaction is 76 mV dec−1. In addition, the electrode also shows good durability and stability, which is reflected in a small decrease in activity after 5000 CV (Cyclic Voltammetry) cycles and almost no decay after 30 h of electrolysis. This work demonstrates its potential for practical applications in efficient hydrogen production.