Metallic Mo2C anchored pyrrolic-N induced N-CNTs/NiS2 for efficient overall water electrolysis

Transition metal disulfides have shown promising catalytic activity, while carbides possess high stability toward water electrocatalysis. It is an ideal way to develop high-performance electrocatalysts with enhanced activity and stability by combining the two compounds together. Herein, we present a new strategy to promote the sulfidation process of Ni nanoparticles by modifying with MoxC, which can increase the ratio of pyrrolic-N and pyridine-N. Interestingly, the increase of pyrrolic-N can further promote the metal Ni completely sulfurized into NiS2 nanoparticles. The as-synthesized material of NiS2 nanoparticles coated with self-grown carbon nanotubes modified by Mo2C can serve as bifunctional electrode, which achieves a current density of 10 mA cm(-)2 at a voltage of 1.52 V to generate H-2 and O-2 gases in alkaline media. Moreover, it can maintain 24 h stability at different current densities, which is more stable than N-CNTs/NiS2-Ni without Mo element. This finding provides a new method and idea for the development of new composite electrocatalysts toward more efficient water splitting.