Interface modulation of Mo2C@foam nickel via MoS2 quantum dots for the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction. Issue 30 (21st July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lei, Lei; Huang, Danlian; Lai, Cui; Zhang, Chen; Deng, Rui; Chen, Yashi; Chen, Sha; Wang, Wenjun
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 8:Issue 30(2020)
• Page Start: 15074
• Page End: 15085
• Publication Date: 2020-07-21
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d0ta05045h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : The MoS2 QDs confined in Mo2 C established a significant link between the electronic manipulation and activities of Mo2 C. Abstract : It is highly desirable and challenging to develop active, inexpensive and available catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, we proposed a simple strategy to anchor MoS2 quantum dots (QDs) on the Mo facet in Mo2 C@foam nickel to craft an atomic-level heterostructure (MoS2 QDs@Mo2 C@NF). The MoS2 QDs confined in Mo2 C established a significant link between the electronic manipulation and activities of Mo2 C by combining experiments and first-principles calculations. The Mo facet in Mo2 C acting as an electron catcher could accelerate the vertical transmission of electrons from MoS2 QDs to Mo2 C and enrich electrons onto the Mo facet. Meanwhile, electrons on Mo2 C by electro-excitation could quickly migrate to MoS2 QDs through the intimate Mo (Mo2 C)–S bond interfaces, resulting in a highly effective interface with low edge contact resistance. The as-synthesized MoS2 QDs@Mo2 C@NF exhibited considerable catalytic activity for the OER in 1 M KOH solution with an overpotential of 1.34 V at 10 mA cm −2 and Tafel slope of 57 mV dec −1 in comparison to RuO2 @NF (1.35 V and 41 mV dec −1 ) owing to optimal adsorption energies of the OER intermediates on the MoS2 QDs@Mo2 C@NF, which originated from a strong electronic coupling effect at the heterointerfaces. These results herald the interface modulation of the electrocatalysts in the presence of a support carrier providing a promising strategy for designing advanced electrocatalysts.