Hierarchical ReS2/nitrogen-doped graphene hybrid nanoarchitectures for efficient oxygen reduction

The highly efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts are desirable for the future energy storage scenario. Herein, we report three-dimensional (3D) nanostructured electrocatalysts constructed by in situ vertical assembly of few-layer ReS2 nanosheets onto the surface of nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (ReS2/NRGO). The ReS2/NRGO hybrids are featured with the fully exposed active sites, interconnected conducting channels, and facilitated charge transfer. Accordingly, the as-synthesized ReS2/NRGO hybrids achieve a relatively small Tafel slope of 71 mV dec(-1) and high diffusion-limited current density of 5.58 mA cm(-2), which holds potential promise for practical applications in fuel cells and metal-air batteries.

Automated summary

By vertically assembling ReS2 nanosheets onto nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide, three-dimensional nanostructured electrocatalysts were constructed with fully exposed active sites and facilitated charge transfer. The synthesized ReS2/NRGO hybrids exhibit a relatively small Tafel slope and high diffusion-limited current density, showing great potential for practical applications in fuel cells and metal-air batteries.