Ultrafine Co2P anchored on porous CoWO4 nanofiber matrix for hydrogen evolution: Anion-induced compositional/morphological transformation and interfacial electron transfer

Construction of shell-core Co2P/Cd0.9Zn0.1S photocatalyst by electrostatic attraction for enhancing H2 evolution

Solar energy-driven photocatalytic decomposition of water to produce H₂ is of great significance for promoting the development of clean energy. To improve the efficiency of H₂ production, a novel spherical Co₂P/Cd_0.9Zn_0.1S (Co₂P/CZS) composite with shell-core structure was successfully synthesized by electrostatic attraction. Under visible light irradiation, the optimal Co₂P/CZS achieves an excellent H₂ rate of 16.05 mmol h^-1 g^-1 in benzyl alcohol (PhCH₂OH) solution, with a quantum efficiency of 34.3% at 450 nm. The Co₂P thin layer coated on the CZS surface not only facilitates the photogenerated charge transfer from Co₂P to CZS under visible light illumination, but reduces the energy barrier of PhCH₂OH oxidation and H₂ evolution. The present results show that shell-core Co₂P/CZS composite may be one of promising catalyst to enhance the activity of H₂ evolution, which provides an important reference basis for new catalyst design and wide prospects for further application of metal sulfides.

Flower-like 1T-MoS2/NiCo2S4 on a carbon cloth substrate as an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction

The 1T-MoS₂/NiCo₂S₄ composite in situ grown on carbon cloth (CC) was successfully prepared by a two-step hydrothermal method as an efficient electrode for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The morphology and composition characterization show that the composite has a flower-like structure with a large number of edges and surfaces exposed, and the content of the 1T phase in MoS₂ is 63%. 1T-MoS₂/NiCo₂S₄/CC exhibits an overpotential of 107 mV at 10 mA cm^-2, and a Tafel slope of 66.4 mV dec^-1 in an alkaline electrolyte. After continuous electrolysis for 24 h at an overpotential of 170 mV, 86% of the original current density was retained in an chronoamperometry measurement. The outstanding catalytic performance of the composite is ascribed to its unique structure, high 1T-MoS₂ content and the synergistic catalysis between 1T-MoS₂ and NiCo₂S₄. This work provides a facile and effective strategy for fabricating the 1T-MoS₂/NiCo₂S₄/CC composite and demonstrates that the composite is expected to be a competitive non-noble HER catalyst.