MOF-derived Co9S8/MoS2 embedded in tri-doped carbon hybrids for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Abstract Metal–organic framework (MOF) derived hybrid materials have been developed as an efficient non-noble-metal electrocatalysts for clean energy conversion systems. In this work, a Co-based MOF containing nitrogen and oxygen heteroatoms (Co-NOMOF) mixed with the thiomolybdate [Mo3S13]2− nanoclusters was used to prepare the N, S, O-doped carbon encapsulating Co9S8 and MoS2 (Co9S8/MoS2@NSOC) nanocomposite by one-step pyrolysis. The Co9S8/MoS2@NSOC nanocomposite exhibited remarkable catalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with overpotential of 194 and 233 mV in 1 M KOH and 0.5 M H2SO4 solution under 10 mA cm−2, respectively, which was ascribed to the multiheteroatom-doped hierarchical porous carbon matrix and the synergistic effect of intrinsic activity of Co9S8 and MoS2. This work provides new opportunity for developing highly efficient non-precious metal electrochemical catalysts.