Synthesis of Ultrathin MoS2 Nanosheets Embedded in 3D Hierarchically Nitrogen‐and‐Sulfur Co‐Doped Porous Carbon Composites as Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalyst

Abstract

AbstractCatalysts comprising MoS2 incorporated into 3D hierarchically N,S co‐doped carbon composites (MoS2@NSC) were prepared through a facile and scalable method by using the functional fluidic acrylonitrile telomer as a carbon source and doping agent, and SiO2 as a hard template. The optimal catalyst, MoS2@NSC‐2, showed effective oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic activity with the initial potential of 0.93 V and half‐potential of 0.82 V in basic electrolyte. In addition, MoS2@NSC‐2 favored a four‐electron reduction process and demonstrated a superior durability and methanol tolerance, which could be ascribed to its unique porous structure that can effectively facilitate the transfer of electrolyte and O2 molecules. The Mo−Nx species are formed due to the doping of N atoms into the crystal lattice of MoS2, which can further enhance the ORR catalytic activity. Our work affords a forward‐looking strategy for designing efficient and low‐cost ORR catalysts on a large scale.