Graphene-reinforced metal-organic frameworks derived cobalt sulfide/carbon nanocomposites as efficient multifunctional electrocatalysts

Developing cost-effective electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is vital in energy conversion and storage applications. Herein, we report a simple method for the synthesis of graphene-reinforced CoS/C nanocomposites and the evaluation of their electrocatalytic performance for typical electrocatalytic reactions. Nanocomposites of CoS embedded in N, S co-doped porous carbon and graphene (CoS@C/Graphene) were generated via simultaneous sulfurization and carbonization of one-pot synthesized graphite oxide-ZIF-67 precursors. The obtained CoS@C/Graphene nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis-mass spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and gas sorption. It is found that CoS nanoparticles homogenously dispersed in the in situ formed N, S co-doped porous carbon/graphene matrix. The CoS@C/10Graphene composite not only shows excellent electrocatalytic activity toward ORR with high onset potential of 0.89 V, four-electron pathway and superior durability of maintaining 98% of current after continuously running for around 5 h, but also exhibits good performance for OER and HER, due to the improved electrical conductivity, increased catalytic active sites and connectivity between the electrocatalytic active CoS and the carbon matrix. This work offers a new approach for the development of novel multifunctional nanocomposites for the next generation of energy conversion and storage applications.

Automated summary

A simple method for synthesizing CoS@C/graphene nanocomposites with excellent electrocatalytic performance for ORR, OER, and HER was reported. The nanocomposites showed homogenously dispersed CoS nanoparticles in N, S co-doped porous carbon/graphene matrix, providing improved electrical conductivity and catalytic active sites. This work offers a new approach for developing novel multifunctional nanocomposites for the next generation of energy conversion and storage applications.