Facial synthesis of FeS2@Carbon nanotube composite as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Iron disulfide (FeS 2 ) has attracted extensive research interest due to its excellent catalytic efficiency. In this work, FeS 2 was composited with carbon matrix to prepare a highly efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. Two uniformly composites, namely, FeS 2 @carbon nanotube (FeS 2 @CNT) and FeS 2 @carbon particle (FeS 2 @CP), were successfully prepared by pyrolysis and sulfuration processes. The structures of the synthesized composites were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the catalytic performances of the composites were obviously improved compared to pure FeS 2 . Moreover, compared to FeS 2 @CP, the FeS 2 @CNT nanotubes achieved a much lower overpotential and a smaller Tafel slope. The enhanced HER kinetics and hydrogen generation rate of FeS 2 @CNT may be due to its more efficient charge transport, uniform distribution of active sites, and higher surface areas. This work provides a new clue for the preparation of FeS 2 -based composite for hydrogen evolution.