Hierarchical cobalt sulfide/molybdenum sulfide heterostructure as bifunctional electrocatalyst towards overall water splitting

Abstract

The development of non&#8208

noble metal based electrocatalysts for overall water splitting is a potent strategy towards a carbon&#8208

neutral and clean energy economy. Herein, hierarchical CoSx@MoS2 was synthesized via a one&#8208

pot solvothermal process. Formation of the heterostructure was confirmed by electron microscopy and spectroscopic techniques. CoSx@MoS2 showed competent electrocatalytic activity towards both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline medium. Superior electrocatalytic activity was attributed to the increase in number of active sites, betterment in charge transfer and facilitation of H&#8208

and O&#8208

containing active species adsorption&#8208

desorption at the active sites. Overall water splitting efficiency of CoSx@MoS2 was found to be superior in comparison to the state&#8208

of&#8208

the&#8208

art RuO2&#8208

Pt/C couple. Along with efficiency the heterostructure also exhibited long&#8208

term operational durability. Thus, hierarchical CoSx@MoS2 is a potential non&#8208

noble metal based bifunctional electrocatalyst towards overall water splitting.