1D FeS-Ni3S2/NF nanocatalysts with rigid polysulfide segment as sulfur source and in situ intercalator for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction activity

Developing sulfur-containing one-dimensional (1D) nanocatalysts with high active surface area and stability remains a significant challenge for achieving high-performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts. In this study, a novel 1D FeS-Ni3S2 nanorod array covered with interwoven nanosheets was synthesized on nickel foam (NF) using a solvothermal process. A rigid segment-containing polysulfide (Poly(S-r-DIB)) was employed as a sulfur source and in situ intercalator, enabling efficient sulfidation and structural formation. The resulting FeSNi3S2/NF nanocatalyst demonstrated outstanding OER performance, achieving a low overpotential of 215 mV at 50 mA cm-2 and a low Tafel slope of 51 mV dec-1 . The catalyst exhibited remarkable stability, retaining over 85 % of its original activity after prolonged testing. Furthermore, in a two-electrode configuration, the catalyst reached a current density of 20 mA cm-2 at a low applied voltage of 1.41 V. This work introduces a new approach for fabricating sulfur-containing 1D nanomaterials with superior catalytic activity, paving the way for advancements in water splitting and sustainable hydrogen energy production.