Beyond Colloidal Synthesis: Nanofiber Reactor to Design Self-Supported Core–Shell Pd16S7/MoS2/CNFs Electrode for Efficient and Durable Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis

• Published in: ACS applied energy materials 2019-03, Vol.2 (3), p.2013-2021
• Main Authors: Wen, Yankun, Zhu, Han, Zhang, Lingling, Hao, Jiace, Wang, Can, Zhang, Songge, Lu, Shuanglong, Zhang, Ming, Du, Mingliang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2574-0962; 2574-0962
• DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.8b02105

Developing an efficient and stable hydrogen evolution catalyst is the core issue to promoting the wide application of hydrogen energy. Herein, we report a novel strategy to design a self-supported core–shell Pd16S7/MoS2/CNFs electrode by the electrospinning technology and sulfur vapor-assisted chemical vapor deposition. The unique Pd16S7/MoS2 core–shell structures with high content of unsaturated sulfur atoms were synthesized in situ in the carbon nanofiber (CNF) reactors. The formation of Pd–S–Mo nanointerfaces in Pd16S7/MoS2 core/shell heterostructures can effectively regulate the electron orbital of MoS2 and expose more sulfur vacancies, which were active sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Beyond the colloidal synthesis, the self-supported Pd16S7/MoS2/CNFs could be directly used as electrode materials, and the electrode with excellent hydrophobic properties can accelerate the bubble desorption during the reaction and improve hydrogen evolution stability. The Pd16S7/MoS2/CNFs electrode affords a small overpotential of 83 mV at a geometric current density of 10 mA cm–2 and Tafel slope of 113 mV dec–1, suggesting a higher intrinsic activity (88 mV at 1 mA cm–2 ECSA) and remarkable durability.