Nanostructural Co–MoS2/NiCoS supported on reduced Graphene oxide as a high activity electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution in alkaline media

Abstract There are many tremendous challenges to enhance the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of MoS2. In this study, nanoflower-like Co–MoS2/NiCoS structure supported on reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) was rationally developed via a simple hydrothermal route, where the synergistic regulations of both interface structural and electronic conductivity were successfully presented by using controllable interface engineering and Co metal ions doped into MoS2 nanosheets. Ascribed to the 3D flower-like nanostructure with massive active sites, the interface coupling effect between MoS2 and Ni–Co–S phase, and Co-doped MoS2 can modulate its surface electronic density. The optimal Co–MoS2/NiCoS/rGO hybrid exhibits excellent HER activity in 1.0 M KOH, with a small overpotential (η10, 84 mV) at 10 mA cm−2 and a low Tafel slope (46 mV dec−1), accompanied by good stability. This work provides an effective route to produce other electrocatalysts based on interface structure and electronic conductivity engineering for HER in the future.