Self-Assembly-Assisted Facile Synthesis of MoS₂-Based Hybrid Tubular Nanostructures for Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalysis

Abstract

In this work, MoS-based hybrid tubular nanostructures are facilely synthesized via a self-assembly-assisted process and evaluated as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) and oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs). By simply mixing the reactants under ambient conditions, (NH)MoS/polydopamine (PDA) hybrid nanospheres are formed. The protonated dopamine is linked to tetrahedral [MoS] via weak N-H···S and O-H···S interactions, causing the PDA nanospheres merging together and forming nanorods under stirring-induced shear force. Moreover, the oxidative polymerization of dopamine proceeds on the surface of the nanorods, whereas it is prohibited inside the nanorods owing to lack of oxygen, leading to outward diffusion of dopamine and hence cavitation. After annealing, the tubular morphology is perfectly retained, while ultrafine MoS monolayers are formed due to the confinement of the framework. Benefiting from these unique structural features, the MoS/C hybrid nanotubes possess abundant active sites and high surface area, as well as boost electronic and ionic transport, remarkably enhancing their electrocatalytic activities. The onset and half-wave potentials are 0.91 and 0.82 V, respectively, for ORR, close to those of Pt/C. Moreover, low onset potential and small Tafel slope are also observed for HER, demonstrating the potential of the hybrid nanotubes as a promising non-noble metal bifunctional electrocatalyst.

Two-Dimensional MoS2: Structural Properties, Synthesis Methods, and Regulation Strategies toward Oxygen Reduction

“…The unique tubular structure, large specific surface area, relatively high N dopant content, and oxygen-bonded MoS2 monolayer endowed the MoS2/ nitrogen-doped carbon hybrid nanotubes (C HNT) with high electronic conductivity and abundant ORR active sites. The as-prepared MoS2/C HNT possessed ORR activity close to commercial Pt/C under alkaline conditions [105].…”

Rational design of nanomedicine for photothermal‐chemodynamic bimodal cancer therapy

“…The molybdenum‐based nanomaterials have received special attention in the fields of catalysis, medicine, sensing, and biology (C. Zhao et al, 2018). On the strength of their adjustable electronic structure and Mo (V)‐induced internal charge transfer upon NIR irradiation, molybdenum‐based nanomaterials terrifically sensitive to redox and pH conditions, provide a promising way for combinational PTT/CDT (Gong et al, 2018; Ni et al, 2018).…”

Hydrothermal synthesis of MoS2 nanosheet loaded TiO2 nanoarrays for enhanced visible light photocatalytic applications

“…Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) as a semiconductor photocatalytic material has been broadly investigated due to its high photocatalytic activity, chemical stability, low cost and nontoxicity. 4 In order to improve the photocatalytic activities, many efforts have been made for the fabrication of various morphologies of TiO 2 , such as hollow spheres, hierarchical microspheres, nanorods, nanotubes and porous networks. [5][6][7] However, the fast recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and large band gap (3.2 eV) of TiO 2 limit the use of sunlight as well as photocatalytic activity.…”