1D Core−Shell MOFs derived CoP Nanoparticles-Embedded N-doped porous carbon nanotubes anchored with MoS2 nanosheets as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2021-09, Vol.419, p.129977, Article 129977
• Main Authors: Zhang, Chuan-Ling, Xie, Yan, Liu, Jiang-Tao, Cao, Fu-Hu, Cong, Huai-Ping, Li, Hao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bifunctional electrocatalyst; Carbon nanocomposite; Core-shell nanotube; Metal-organic framework
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.129977

An efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst is constructed by a novel multi-step approach, containing core–shell ZIF-8@ZIF-67 nanotube-derived hierarchically porous CoP/N-doped carbon tube anchored with MoS2 nanosheets. Benefiting from the unique 1D porous hollow structure and the synergies between MoS2 nanosheets and graphitic carbon encapsulated CoP nanoparticles, the hybrid-nanostructured catalyst exhibits excellent electrochemical performance for both of OER and HER in alkaline electrolyte. More importantly, when applied as both the cathode and anode electrode, the composite catalyst delivers high overall water splitting activity and durability. [Display omitted] •Hierarchically porous MoS2/CoP/N-doped carbon composites derived from core-shell ZIF-8@ZIF-67 nanotubes are constructed.•The influences of the nanostructures on the electrocatalytic performance are systematically studied.•The bifunctional electrode delivers high catalytic activity and durability for overall water splitting.•It is a general strategy for developing hierarchical nanostructures with enhanced electrochemical performances. Developing high-performance non-noble electrocatalysts for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions (OER and HER) is of great importance. Herein, an efficient 1D bifunctional electrocatalyst was constructed via a multistep strategy, which consisted of core–shell ZIF-8@ZIF-67 derived CoP/N-doped porous carbon nanotube anchored with vertically aligned MoS2 nanosheets (NCT@CoP@MoS2). Benefiting from the synergies between the unique 1D porous hollow heterostructure and the components, the tubular NCT@CoP@MoS2 composites showed superior electrocatalytic activity in 1 M KOH with an overpotential of ~ 234 and 195 mV to achieve 10 mA·cm−2 for OER and HER, respectively. More importantly, the NCT@CoP@MoS2//NCT@CoP@MoS2 couple delivered high overall water splitting performance with an ultralow cell voltage of 1.57 and 1.85 V to achieve 10 and 200 mA·cm−2, only 70 and 40 mV higher than that of Pt/C//RuO2, respectively. Specifically, the as-prepared electrode exhibited ultra-stability for overall water splitting, and the current density only decreases by 4% at 1.6 V after 40 h of cycling.