Nitrogen anion-decorated cobalt tungsten disulfides solid solutions on the carbon nanofibers for water splitting

Abstract

A facile method to prepare nitrogen anion-decorated cobalt tungsten disulfides solid solutions, retaining ultra-thin WS-like nanosheet structures (The N-Co W S) anchored on carbon nanofibers (CNFs), is developed. The synergistic effect of the WS nanosheets provides a secure framework for stabilizing the amorphous Co-S clusters, CNFs substrate and nitrogen anion-decoration significantly enhances the inherent conductivity of the catalyst, resulting in a significantly promoted hydrogen evolution reaction activity and stable performance compared to pure CoS nanoparticles or ultra-thin WS nanosheets. The N-Co W S electrode demonstrates the excellent electrocatalytic performance, with current density of 10 mA cm at a low overpotential of 93 mV and Tafel slope of 85 mV dec, as well as the long-term stability in acid electrolyte. The present investigation may provide a feasible strategy for incorporating other heteroatoms into transitional metal disulfides materials to design catalysts with highly active and stable performance for water splitting.

Developments and Perspectives on Robust Nano‐ and Microstructured Binder‐Free Electrodes for Bifunctional Water Electrolysis and Beyond

“…These characteristics provide efficient mass and electron transport to enhance electrocatalytic activity. [ 213,228–237 ] Wang et al. [ 228 ] prepared PtNi nanoparticles (NPs) immobilized on 3D CNF mats (PtNi/CNFs) using an electrospinning method and followed by carbonization.…”

“…These characteristics provide efficient mass and electron transport to enhance electrocatalytic activity. [213,[228][229][230][231][232][233][234][235][236][237] Wang et al [228] prepared PtNi nanoparticles (NPs) immobilized on 3D CNF mats (PtNi/CNFs) using an electrospinning method and followed by carbonization. CNFs provide distinctive advantages as a support material, including removing the need for polymer binders and providing a strong interaction between the NPs and CNFs.…”

Recent Advances in 1D Electrospun Nanocatalysts for Electrochemical Water Splitting

“…The introduction of sulfur atom into CNFs has been a hot topic recently. [ 114–132 ] Zhu et al [ 117 ] synthesized rose‐petal‐shaped MoS 2 based on 1D electrospun nanofibers, controlling the MoS 2 morphology at the nanoscale. Because of their highly exposed edges and excellent chemical and electrical coupled with the underlying CNFs, MoS 2 /CNF and rose‐petal‐shaped MoS 2 fiber mats both exhibited excellent HER activity.…”

Electronic modulation and interface engineering of electrospun nanomaterials‐based electrocatalysts toward water splitting

“…Non‐metallic‐atom doping has also been utilized to enhance the OER efficiency of the electrospun nanomaterials‐based electrocatalsyts 143‐147 . For example, owing to the doping‐induced charge distribution, N, F, P ternary doped macro‐porous CNFs showed a good OER activity with a lower onset potential of 1.3 V without iR compensation 146 .…”

“…142 Non-metallic-atom doping has also been utilized to enhance the OER efficiency of the electrospun nanomaterials-based electrocatalsyts. [143][144][145][146][147] For example, owing to the doping-induced charge distribution, N, F, P ternary doped macro-porous CNFs showed a good OER activity with a lower onset potential of 1.3 V without iR compensation. 146 Nonmetallic-atom-doped binary metal oxides could tailor their electronic structure by the replacement of oxygen atoms and increase their electrical conductivity, which enhanced the OER performance.…”