Self-supported tremella-like MoS2-AB particles on nickel foam as bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting

The technology of electrolytic water splitting to produce hydrogen is considered a promising method for renewable energy utilization. It is essential to develop bifunctional electrode materials with low cost and high activity. Herein, tremella-like MoS2-AB particles on nickel foam substrate were fabricated through a one-step Solvothermal reaction and exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performance for over-water electrolysis in alkaline media, i.e., overpotentials of 77 and 248 mV to achieve catalytic current density 10 mA cm-2 for hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction, respectively. Moreover, the two-electrode device demanded 1.51 V cell voltage to reach 10 mA cm-2 and showed good stability of 12 h without iR compensation. This work may afford a new idea to design self-supported bifunctional electrocatalysts toward efficient overall water splitting reactions.

Automated summary

This study successfully prepared a novel bifunctional electrode material for electrolytic water splitting, with low cost and high activity, which can achieve efficient water electrolysis in alkaline media. The electrode exhibited excellent stability and catalytic performance, providing a new design concept for efficient water splitting reactions.