Superwetting molybdenum-based sulfide/phosphide heterostructures for efficient water electrolysis and solar thermoelectricity self-powered hydrogen production

Developing new-generation transition metal-based electrocatalysts to integrate synergetic multi-functionalities for efficient promotion of electrocatalytic performances is crucial for sustainable hydrogen production, but it is still challenging. Herein, we report a robust multi-functional MoS2-MoP2 heterostructure formed on nickel foam (Mo-S-P/NF) to boost both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline medium. The optimal Mo-S-P/NF exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performances with ultralow overpotentials of 202 mV for OER, 50 mV for HER as well as a low cell voltage of 1.56 V for overall water splitting at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, along with outstanding long-term durability, owing to prominent superwetttability, abundant defective surface and unique heterointerface. Remarkably, the successful implementation of solar thermoelectricity-driven water electrolysis self-powered by the Mo-S-P/NF inspires its practical application in sustainable hydrogen production.