MoS2-Carbon Nanotube Porous 3D Network for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Future generation power requirement triggers the increasing search for electrocatalysts towards oxygen reduction, which is the pivotal part to enhance the activity of metal-air batteries and fuel cells. The present article reports a novel 3D composite structure weaving 1D carbon nanotubes (CNT) and 2D MoS2 nanosheets. The MoS2-CNT composite exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline environment. Measurements show better methanol immunity and higher durability than Pt/C, which is considered the state-of-the-art catalyst for ORR. Experimental results suggest that the hybridization of 1D functionalized multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs) and exfoliated 2D MoS2 nanosheet results significant synergistic effect, which greatly promotes the ORR activity. This work presents a new avenue to rationally design a 3D porous composite out of 1D and 2D interlaced components and demonstrate appreciable electrochemical performance of the materials towards ORR activity for fuel cells as well as metal-air batteries.