FexMo1-xS2/CNT@CC nanosheets as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting

The FexMo1-xS2 nanosheets with different Fe doping content x were grown on carbon nanotubes @ carbon cloth (CNT@CC) substrate using a hydrothermal method by varying the molar ratio of FeSO4 center dot 7H2O to Na2MoO4 center dot 2H2O in the precursor solution. The effect on HER, OER and overall water splitting (OWS) performance of Fe doping content x were studied. The FexMo1-xS2 nanosheets have the optimal HER and OWS performance for x=0.050 and the optimal OER performance for x=0.075. The overpotential at current density of 100 mA/cm2 and Tafel slope are 198 mV and 44.7 mVdec-1 for HER; and they are 279 mV and 24.5 mV/dec for OER in 1 M KOH electrolyte. The electrolytic cell using Fe0.05Mo0.95S2/ CNT@CC as both cathode and anode achieves a voltage of 1.69 V at current density of 100 mAcm-2. The bifunctional catalytic activities of the FexMo1-xS2/ CNT@CC catalyst come from the synergistic effect between FexMo1-xS2 nanosheets and CNT.