Facile one-pot synthesis of CoS2-MoS2/CNTs as efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Ternary hybrid cobalt disulfide-molybdenum disulfides supported on carbon nanotubes (CoS2MoS2/CNTs) electrocatalysts have been prepared via a simple hydrothermal method. CNTs as support may provide good conductivity and low the agglomeration of layered MoS2 structure. CoS2 with intrinsic metallic conductivity may enhance the activity of the ternary hybrid electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). X-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirm the formation of ternary hybrid nanocomposites composed of CNTs, CoS2 and amorphous MoS2. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show that strong combination between MoS2, CNTs and regular orthohexagonal CoS2 has been obtained. The dispersion of each component is good and no obvious agglomeration can be observed. It is found that compared with CoS2/CNTs and MoS2/CNTs, the ternary CoS2-MoS2/CNTs have the better activity for HER with a low onset potential of 70 mV (vs. RHE) and a small Talel slope of 67 mV dec(-1), and are extremely stable after 1000 cycles. In addition, the optimal doping ratio of Co to Mo is 2:1, which have better HER activity. It is proved that the introduction of carbon materials and Co atoms could improve the performances of MoS2-based electrocatalysts for HER. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.