Modulating Surface Electron Density of Heterointerface with Bio‐Inspired Light‐Trapping Nano‐Structure to Boost Kinetics of Overall Water Splitting

Abstract

Herein, inspired by natural sunflower heads’ properties increasing the temperature of dish‐shaped flowers by tracking the sun, a novel hybrid heterostructure (MoS2/Ni3S2@CA, CA means carbon nanowire arrays) with the sunflower‐like structure to boost the kinetics of water splitting is proposed. Density functional theory (DFT) reveals that it can modulate the active electronic states of NiMo atoms around the Fermi‐level through the charge transfer between the metallic atoms of Ni3S2 and MoMo bonds of MoS2 to boost overall water splitting. Most importantly, the finite difference time domain (FDTD) could find that its unique bio‐inspired micro‐nano light‐trapping structure has high solar photothermal conversion efficiency. With the assistance of the photothermal field, the kinetics of water‐splitting is improved, affording low overpotentials of 96 and 229 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for HER and OER, respectively. Moreover, the Sun‐MoS2/Ni3S2@CA enables the overall alkaline water splitting at a low cell voltage of 1.48 and 1.64 V to achieve 10 and 100 mA cm−2 with outstanding catalytic durability. This study may open up a new route for rationally constructing bionic sunflower micro‐nano light‐trapping structure to maximize their photothermal conversion and electrochemical performances, and accelerate the development of nonprecious electrocatalysts for overall water splitting.

Multi-interfacial engineering of an interlinked Ni2P–MoP heterojunction to modulate the electronic structure for efficient overall water splitting

“…Among the Mo-based and Ni-based HER electrocatalysts reported thus far (Table S2†), the HER catalytic activity of Ni 2 P–MoP@NC also reaches the advanced level and even outperforms the Mo–Ni-based bimetallic heterojunction, which could provide valuable insights for multi-interface engineering. 49–53 To further probe the intrinsic activity of the electrocatalysts, double-layer capacitance ( C dl ) was employed to assess the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) (Fig. 3d and S16†).…”

Construction of an Advanced NiFe-LDH/MoS2–Ni3S2/NF Heterostructure Catalyst toward Efficient Electrocatalytic Overall Water Splitting

“…Among them, MoS 2 is regarded to be one of the prospective electrocatalysts for substituting Pt-based electrocatalysts owing to its abundant active sites, earth abundance, low price, and good mechanical properties. − Particularly, MoS 2 electrocatalysts exhibit impressive electrocatalytic activity only in acid or neutral solutions, whereas they exhibit relatively low activity and instability in alkaline solutions, constraining application in overall water splitting. Recently, a variety of MoS 2 -based heterostructures catalysts have been developed, displaying extraordinary bifunctional catalytic performance for overall water splitting. − Constructing highly efficient MoS 2 -based heterostructure electrocatalysts is a significant innovation, as highlighted in recent reports, to enhance OER, HER, and overall water splitting performance. Unfortunately, fabrication engineering of MoS 2 -based heterostructure electrocatalysts is still far from satisfactory via multiple-step synthesis.…”

Dynamic Changes of an Anodized FeNi Alloy during the Oxygen Evolution Reaction under Alkaline Conditions

“…Water splitting for hydrogen production is a proposed reaction to store renewable energy. 7,8 Unfortunately, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) through the water oxidation reaction is a bottleneck for water splitting. 9 Ir-and Ru-based catalysts have been extensively studied for the OER.…”

“…Interest in renewable energy sources has arisen because of fossil fuel depletion and environmental and economic issues. − Using renewable energy is one of the solutions to these problems. , However, renewable energy sources are intermittent. Water splitting for hydrogen production is a proposed reaction to store renewable energy. , Unfortunately, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) through the water oxidation reaction is a bottleneck for water splitting …”