Efficient Hydrogen Evolution on Cu Nanodots-Decorated Ni3S2 Nanotubes by Optimizing Atomic Hydrogen Adsorption and Desorption

Low-cost transition-metal dichalcogenides (MS2) have attracted great interest as alternative catalysts for hydrogen evolution. However, a significant challenge is the formation of sulfur–hydrogen bonds on MS2 (S–Hads), which will severely suppress hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here we report Cu nanodots (NDs)-decorated Ni3S2 nanotubes (NTs) supported on carbon fibers (CFs) (Cu NDs/Ni3S2 NTs-CFs) as efficient electrocatalysts for HER in alkaline media. The electronic interactions between Cu and Ni3S2 result in Cu NDs that are positively charged and can promote water adsorption and activation. Meanwhile, Ni3S2 NTs are negatively charged and can weaken S–Hads bonds formed on catalyst surfaces. Therefore, the Cu/Ni3S2 hybrids can optimize H adsorption and desorption on electrocatalysts and can promote both Volmer and Heyrovsky steps of HER. The strong interactions between Cu and Ni3S2 cause the Cu NDs/Ni3S2 NTs-CFs electrocatalysts to exhibit the outstanding HER catalytic performance with low onset potential, high catalytic activity, and excellent stability.