1T/2H MoS2 nanoflowers decorated amorphous Mo-CoSx skeleton: A ZIF-based composite electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract Electronic regulation through component precise control at the atomic level of electrocatalysts has a fundamental influence on the efficiency of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we successfully demonstrate a ZIF-based charge transfer medium for improving the electrocatalytic activity of MoS2 towards HER. Benefit for the enough porous structure, superior electron conductivity as well as the synergistic effect from the doped atoms, the hybrids phase (1T/2H) MoS2 nanoflowers decorated amorphous Mo-CoSx skeleton exhibited the promotional electrocatalytic performance in efficiency and stability. Specifically, an extremely low overpotential of 73 mV at the current density of −10 mA cm−2 and an impressive Tafel slope of 39.2 mV dec−1 had been achieved from the nanocomposites in an acidic condition (0.5 M H2SO4). The satisfactory activity improvement can be ascribed to the enhancement of electronic transmission rate as well as the synergistic effects between the doped Mo element and CoSx. This work might develop a new avenue to design highly efficient multicomponent electrocatalysts towards HER.