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Cobalt disulfide nanosphere dispersed on multi-walled carbon nanotubes: an efficient and stable electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

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Abstract

Novel cobalt disulfide on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CoS2/MWCNTs) was synthesized via a facile one-step hydrothermal method in the presence of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide. The physical properties of as-prepared materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrum, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectrum, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Physical characterizations revealed that cattierite CoS2 nanospheres dispersed on the surface of MWCNTs uniformly. In addition, electrochemical performances of as-prepared materials for hydrogen evolution reaction were investigated by polarization curves, Tafel plots, and electrochemical impedance spectrum in 0.50 M H2SO4 electrolyte. It was demonstrated that MWCNT-based electrode exhibited almost no current response while CoS2/MWCNT nanocomposite-based electrode exhibited better electrochemical performances than pure CoS2-based electrode, including lower potential of − 257 mV for 10 mA cm−2 and smaller Tafel slope of 83 mV dec−1. Furthermore, CoS2/MWCNT nanocomposite retained its high activity even after 1000 cycles of cyclic voltammetry scans, demonstrating superior stability under acidic condition. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity of CoS2/MWCNT nanocomposite-based electrode was ascribed to more exposed sulfur edges of CoS2, larger accessible surface area, and higher conductivity derived from MWCNTs. The results suggested that CoS2/MWCNT nanocomposite had a potential application to hydrogen evolution reaction.

Shown above was the synthetic procedure of CoS2/MWCNT nanocomposite via the one-step hydrothermal method.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Longshan Academic Talent Research Supporting Program of SWUST (17LZX406), the National Basic Research Program of China (2014CB846003), and the National Science and Technology Supported Program (2014BAC13B05). Also, we are grateful for the help of Analytical and Testing Center of Southwest University of Science and Technology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, People’s Republic of China

    Huanhuan Liu, Ping He, Lingpu Jia, Shuai Wang, Xiaojuan Zhang, Caixia Li & Ying Zhang

  2. Mianyang Kingtiger New Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Mianyang, 621000, People’s Republic of China

    Ping He

  3. Sichuan Changhong New Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Mianyang, 621000, People’s Republic of China

    Mingqian He

  4. Center of Analysis and Test, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, People’s Republic of China

    Xingquan Zhang

  5. Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle of Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, People’s Republic of China

    Faqin Dong

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  1. Huanhuan Liu
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  2. Ping He
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Correspondence to Ping He.

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Liu, H., He, P., Jia, L. et al. Cobalt disulfide nanosphere dispersed on multi-walled carbon nanotubes: an efficient and stable electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction. Ionics 24, 3591–3599 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-018-2474-x

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