Nanocomposites of 1D MoS2 with Polymer-Functionalized Nanotubes of Carbon and Borocarbonitride, and Their HER Activity

Nanocomposites formed by carboxyl-functionalized MoS2 nanotubes with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA, described as P)-modified single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and borocarbonitride nanotubes (BCNNT) have been prepared by a solution-phase flocculation of 1D nanotubes. The nanocomposites show higher photocatalytic and electrocatalytic HER activities compare to the individual constituents, where the H-2 yield improves with the MoS2 nanotube proportion. The maximum H-2 evolution rate achieved is 7475 mu mol g(-1) h(-1) in the nanocomposite of MoS2-P.SWCNT with a MoS2-P.SWCNT proportion of 3:1, whereas the corresponding physical mixture exhibits only 3112 mu mol g(-1) h(-1) .The MoS2-P.SWCNT (3:1) nanocomposite also shows superior electrocatalytic H-2 evolution with an onset potential of 80 mV (vs RHE). The MoS2-P.BCNNT composite exhibits a somewhat lower H-2 evolution rate. Electrostatic stacking of 1D MoS2 nanotubes with SWCNT/BCNNT appears to be a valuable strategy for HER and related catalytic reactions.

Automated summary

Nanocomposites formed by MoS2 nanotubes with P-modified SWCNT and BCNNT through solution-phase flocculation show enhanced photocatalytic and electrocatalytic HER activities. The H2 yield improves with higher proportion of MoS2 nanotubes, with the MoS2-P.SWCNT (3:1) nanocomposite exhibiting the highest H2 evolution rate. Electrostatic stacking of 1D MoS2 nanotubes with SWCNT/BCNNT appears to be an effective strategy for HER and related catalytic reactions.