Ternary metal sulfides MoCoNiS derived from metal organic frameworks for efficient oxygen evolution

Abstract Developing a highly active and low-cost non-precious metal electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution has been urgent for the clean energy system. Herein, the ternary metal sulfides MoCoNiS supported on nickel foam (MoCoNiS/NF) are successfully prepared using Mo doping Co-based metal-organic framework (Co-MOF) as precursor, which may be helpful for the good dispersion of different metal element. The uniform elements distribution of Mo, Co and Ni on MoCoNiS/NF is determined by all kinds of physical characterization. Mo doping may regulate the electronic environment around Co and Ni, suggesting the potential synergistic effects between different heteroatoms. Electrochemical test shows that MoCoNiS/NF exhibits the excellent OER activity than other single metal or binary metal sulfides as comparison samples, needing only 151 and 226 mV overpotential to achieve current density of 10 (η10 = 151 mV) and 100 mA cm−2 (η100 = 226 mV), respectively. The excellent stability of MoCoNiS/NF has been achieved. The remarkable OER performance of MoCoNiS/NF may due to the synergistic effects and good electrical conductivity as well as the three-dimensional structure of NF as substrate. Therefore, the rational design of MOF derived multi transition metal-based electrocatalysts will be an effective way for increasing OER performance.