WO2018165449A1 - Electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction - Google Patents
Electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2018165449A1 WO2018165449A1 PCT/US2018/021580 US2018021580W WO2018165449A1 WO 2018165449 A1 WO2018165449 A1 WO 2018165449A1 US 2018021580 W US2018021580 W US 2018021580W WO 2018165449 A1 WO2018165449 A1 WO 2018165449A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- nanosheets
- electrocatalyst
- hydrogen evolution
- evolution reaction
- carbon fiber
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 48
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 45
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 45
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 45
- 239000010411 electrocatalyst Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 41
- 239000002135 nanosheet Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 95
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 34
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- XMWRBQBLMFGWIX-UHFFFAOYSA-N C60 fullerene Chemical class C12=C3C(C4=C56)=C7C8=C5C5=C9C%10=C6C6=C4C1=C1C4=C6C6=C%10C%10=C9C9=C%11C5=C8C5=C8C7=C3C3=C7C2=C1C1=C2C4=C6C4=C%10C6=C9C9=C%11C5=C5C8=C3C3=C7C1=C1C2=C4C6=C2C9=C5C3=C12 XMWRBQBLMFGWIX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 229910003472 fullerene Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000005229 chemical vapour deposition Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims 11
- 238000000137 annealing Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 238000007654 immersion Methods 0.000 claims 2
- CWQXQMHSOZUFJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N molybdenum disulfide Chemical compound S=[Mo]=S CWQXQMHSOZUFJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 127
- 229910052982 molybdenum disulfide Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 121
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 abstract description 11
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 8
- QXYJCZRRLLQGCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N dioxomolybdenum Chemical compound O=[Mo]=O QXYJCZRRLLQGCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 5
- JKQOBWVOAYFWKG-UHFFFAOYSA-N molybdenum trioxide Chemical compound O=[Mo](=O)=O JKQOBWVOAYFWKG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract 4
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 229910052961 molybdenite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 26
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 16
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 12
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 11
- 238000001069 Raman spectroscopy Methods 0.000 description 10
- 238000002484 cyclic voltammetry Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000005486 sulfidation Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000000349 field-emission scanning electron micrograph Methods 0.000 description 7
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 7
- 230000010287 polarization Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000032258 transport Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000001237 Raman spectrum Methods 0.000 description 6
- MVPPADPHJFYWMZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N chlorobenzene Chemical compound ClC1=CC=CC=C1 MVPPADPHJFYWMZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000002243 precursor Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000004833 X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy Methods 0.000 description 5
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 230000003197 catalytic effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000008021 deposition Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000000157 electrochemical-induced impedance spectroscopy Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000002149 energy-dispersive X-ray emission spectroscopy Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000001075 voltammogram Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000002441 X-ray diffraction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000000026 X-ray photoelectron spectrum Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910052750 molybdenum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 229910052717 sulfur Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical class [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Molybdenum Chemical compound [Mo] ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- YXFVVABEGXRONW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Toluene Chemical compound CC1=CC=CC=C1 YXFVVABEGXRONW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000011733 molybdenum Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000001699 photocatalysis Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000001004 secondary ion mass spectrometry Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000001179 sorption measurement Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011593 sulfur Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000002195 synergetic effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005054 agglomeration Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002776 aggregation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000012512 characterization method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008045 co-localization Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000005284 excitation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000445 field-emission scanning electron microscopy Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000024 high-resolution transmission electron micrograph Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009396 hybridization Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000001819 mass spectrum Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002107 nanodisc Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000037361 pathway Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010926 purge Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009790 rate-determining step (RDS) Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002829 reductive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006641 stabilisation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000011105 stabilization Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000011149 sulphuric acid Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000010408 sweeping Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007306 turnover Effects 0.000 description 2
- RBORURQQJIQWBS-QVRNUERCSA-N (4ar,6r,7r,7as)-6-(6-amino-8-bromopurin-9-yl)-2-hydroxy-2-sulfanylidene-4a,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-4h-furo[3,2-d][1,3,2]dioxaphosphinin-7-ol Chemical compound C([C@H]1O2)OP(O)(=S)O[C@H]1[C@@H](O)[C@@H]2N1C(N=CN=C2N)=C2N=C1Br RBORURQQJIQWBS-QVRNUERCSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M Chloride anion Chemical compound [Cl-] VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 229910002483 Cu Ka Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000003775 Density Functional Theory Methods 0.000 description 1
- XOJVVFBFDXDTEG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Norphytane Natural products CC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)C XOJVVFBFDXDTEG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- -1 Raman bands at 282 Chemical compound 0.000 description 1
- 238000003917 TEM image Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003929 acidic solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002378 acidificating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004364 calculation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002041 carbon nanotube Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910021393 carbon nanotube Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002800 charge carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002153 concerted effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002425 crystallisation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008025 crystallization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001351 cycling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003795 desorption Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- ZOMNIUBKTOKEHS-UHFFFAOYSA-L dimercury dichloride Chemical class Cl[Hg][Hg]Cl ZOMNIUBKTOKEHS-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 230000003292 diminished effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007323 disproportionation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002593 electrical impedance tomography Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002848 electrochemical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910021389 graphene Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002173 high-resolution transmission electron microscopy Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052809 inorganic oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004502 linear sweep voltammetry Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000000116 mitigating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910000476 molybdenum oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000001151 other effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- PQQKPALAQIIWST-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxomolybdenum Chemical compound [Mo]=O PQQKPALAQIIWST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000036961 partial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007539 photo-oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007146 photocatalysis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000029553 photosynthesis Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010672 photosynthesis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000135 prohibitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009257 reactivity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000027756 respiratory electron transport chain Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012552 review Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001878 scanning electron micrograph Methods 0.000 description 1
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon dioxide Inorganic materials O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000859 sublimation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008022 sublimation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000000101 thioether group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000009466 transformation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052723 transition metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000003624 transition metals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000005641 tunneling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002525 ultrasonication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012800 visualization Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B01J35/33—
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B11/00—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for
- C25B11/04—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for characterised by the material
- C25B11/051—Electrodes formed of electrocatalysts on a substrate or carrier
- C25B11/073—Electrodes formed of electrocatalysts on a substrate or carrier characterised by the electrocatalyst material
- C25B11/075—Electrodes formed of electrocatalysts on a substrate or carrier characterised by the electrocatalyst material consisting of a single catalytic element or catalytic compound
- C25B11/077—Electrodes formed of electrocatalysts on a substrate or carrier characterised by the electrocatalyst material consisting of a single catalytic element or catalytic compound the compound being a non-noble metal oxide
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
- C25B1/01—Products
- C25B1/02—Hydrogen or oxygen
- C25B1/04—Hydrogen or oxygen by electrolysis of water
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M4/00—Electrodes
- H01M4/86—Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
- H01M4/90—Selection of catalytic material
- H01M4/9075—Catalytic material supported on carriers, e.g. powder carriers
- H01M4/9083—Catalytic material supported on carriers, e.g. powder carriers on carbon or graphite
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/36—Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P20/00—Technologies relating to chemical industry
- Y02P20/10—Process efficiency
- Y02P20/133—Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
Definitions
- the disclosure of the present patent application relates to an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction, and particularly to an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction that includes nanosheets of molybdenum disulfide (M0S 2 ) deposited on a carbon fiber substrate.
- M0S 2 molybdenum disulfide
- the Pt group metals are excellent catalysts for HER and evolve hydrogen at near- zero overpotentials in acidic media but are cost prohibitive and amongst the least abundant elements available to mankind.
- M0S 2 As well as transition metal phosphides.
- the electrocatalytic activity of M0S 2 was mainly derived from catalytically active edge sites.
- the basal planes were thought to be catalytically inert with some exceptions.
- the low charge carrier mobility of M0S 2 was an impediment to its use as an electrocatalyst. Also, those materials generally tend to evolve 3 ⁇ 4 at high overpotentials in comparison to Pt.
- the electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction includes homogeneously sized nanosheets of molybdenum disulfide (M0S 2 ) integrated on a carbon fiber paper substrate, with exposed catalytically active edge sites.
- the nanosheets are well distributed and vertically oriented.
- the electrocatalyst is prepared by the stepwise reduction and sulfidation of M0O 3 .
- the direct integration of edge-exposed M0S 2 nanosheets onto CFP yields a 3D architecture with a high surface-to- volume ratio desirable for electrocatalytic applications.
- the inherent HER activity of the edge-sites of M0S 2 can be enhanced significantly by interfacing with nC 6 o nanoclusters, as a result of the enhancement of the conductivity of M0S 2 owing to charge transfer.
- Fig. 1 is schematic diagram illustrating the steps for preparing the electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction.
- Fig. 2A is a FESEM image showing homogeneous distribution of M0S 2 nanosheets grown on textured CFP substrate.
- Fig. 2B is a high-magnification SEM image of an individual M0S 2 nanosheet.
- Fig. 2C is a low-magnification TEM image of a nanosheet depicting locations of "clean" well-faceted and “collapsed” edges.
- Fig. 2D is an HRTEM image of a "clean" edge.
- Fig. 2E is an HRTEM image of a discontinuous "collapsed" edge.
- Fig. 3A is a FESEM image of M0O 3 harvested from a flat Si(100) substrate.
- Fig. 3B is a FESEM image of M0O 2 harvested from a flat Si(100) substrate.
- Fig. 3C is a FESEM image of M0S 2 harvested from a flat Si(100) substrate.
- Fig. 3D is a FESEM image of M0S 2 nanosheets harvested from a flat Si(100) substrate.
- Fig. 3E is a FESEM image of M0S 2 nanosheets harvested from a flat Si(100) substrate.
- Fig. 3F is a FESEM image of M0S 2 nanosheets harvested from a flat Si(100) substrate, showing additional edge sites created on the basal plane of the nanosheets.
- Fig. 4A shows XRD patterns of M0O 3 nanosheets, M0O 2 nanodisks, and M0S 2 nanosheets prepared on CFP.
- Fig. 4B shows Raman spectra (514.5 nm laser excitation) of M0O 3 nanosheets, M0O 2 nanodisks, and M0S 2 nanosheets prepared on CFP.
- Fig. 4C shows XPS spectra indicating Mo 3d binding energies.
- Fig. 4D shows XPS spectra indicating O ls binding energies
- Fig. 4E shows XPS spectra indicating S 2p binding energies
- Fig. 5 shows Raman spectra of the nCeo cluster and hybrid nC 6 o MoS 2 architectures.
- Fig. 6 shows the mass spectrum of negatively charged ions emitted from the surface of the clusters deposited on CFP.
- Fig. 7A shows polarization curves of various concentrations of nCeo clusters deposited directly onto CFP.
- Fig. 7B shows polarization curves of various concentrations of nCeo clusters interfaced with 3D M0S 2 nanosheets on CFP.
- Fig. 8A shows a cyclic voltammogram acquired in the range between 0.10-0.30 V vs. RHE for neat nCeo clusters deposited on CFP from solutions of C 6 o concentration of 0.1 mg/mL.
- Fig. 8B shows a cyclic voltammogram acquired in the range between 0.10-0.30 V vs. RHE for neat nC 6 o clusters deposited on CFP from solutions of C 6 o concentration of 0.5 mg/mL.
- Fig. 8C shows a cyclic voltammogram acquired in the range between 0.10-0.30 V vs. RHE for neat nC 6 o clusters deposited on CFP from solutions of C 6 o concentration of 2.0 mg/mL.
- Fig. 9A shows a voltammogram acquired in the range of 0.15-0.30 V versus RHE for as-prepared 3D M0S 2 .
- Fig. 9B shows a voltammogram acquired in the range of 0.15-0.30 V versus RHE for hybrid nC 60 (0.1 mg/mL)/MoS 2 .
- Fig. 9C shows a voltammogram acquired in the range of 0.15-0.30 V versus RHE for for hybrid nC 6 o (0.5 mg/mL)/MoS 2 .
- Fig. 9D shows a voltammogram acquired in the range of 0.15-0.30 V versus RHE for for hybrid nC 60 (2.0 mg/mL)/MoS 2 .
- Fig. 10A shows the Nyquist plots of as-prepared 3D M0S 2 nanosheets and hybrid nC 6 o MoS 2 architectures prepared on CFP measured at -150 mV vs. RHE.
- Fig. 10B shows R ct values plotted as a function of potential for nCeo, as-prepared 3D M0S 2 nanosheets, and hybrid nC 6 o MoS 2 architectures prepared on CFP.
- the electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction includes high-edge-density M0S 2 nanosheets directly integrated with conductive carbon fiber paper (CFP).
- the nanosheets can be vertically aligned.
- the nanosheets can be 3-dimensional, polycrystalline nanosheets.
- the nanosheets are homogeneously dispersed across centimeter scales and have a high density of exposed edge sites.
- the nanosheets can include a mixture of faceted as well as discontinuous collapsed edges within the basal planes, induced by volume expansion accompanying topochemical sulfidation, as described herein.
- the M0S 2 nanosheets on the CFP can exhibit an overpotential ⁇ value of about 245 mV at 10 mA/cm 2 a Tafel slope of about 81 mV/dec, and a turnover frequency (TOF) of about 1.28 3 ⁇ 4/s per active site at -0.2 V versus RHE in a 0.5 M acidic solution.
- TOF turnover frequency
- the catalyst can further include Buckminsterfullerenes or spherical fullerenes (nC 6 o).
- the 3D M0S 2 nanosheets can be interfaced with nCeo clusters by a facile solution-deposition method.
- the hybrid structures show greatly enhanced HER activity with an overpotential ⁇ 10 value of about 172 mV and a Tafel slope of about 60 mV/dec when the deposition concentration of C 6 o is about 0.5 mg/mL. This condition corresponds to about a 2% coverage of the M0S 2 nanosheets by nCeo clusters.
- the improved activity of the hybrid catalysts is believed to derive from the interfacial charge transfer at nC 6 o MoS 2 p— n heteroj unctions.
- An optimal coverage of nCeo with a homogeneous distribution can facilitate such interfacial doping.
- the catalyst can be formed in stepwise fashion by chemical vapor deposition of nanosheets of M0O 3 onto a carbon fiber substrate, reducing the M0O 3 to nanosheets of M0O 2 using sublimed sulfur, then reacting sulfur vapor with the M0O 2 to form nanosheets of M0S 2 on the carbon fiber substrate.
- the resulting catalyst is multifaceted, having a large density of edges providing catalytically active sites for hydrogen evolution reaction.
- Fig. 1 The stepwise vapor transport, reduction, and sublimation steps used to prepare edge- exposed M0S 2 nanosheets on CFP are schematically illustrated in Fig. 1.
- M0O 3 nanosheets that are about 1-2 ⁇ in lateral dimensions are deposited onto CFP by the vapor transport of M0O 3 powder heated to 850°C.
- Figs. 2A illustrate "clean,” well- faceted, and "collapsed" edges of an individual M0S 2 nanosheet.
- Figs. 3A-3F illustrate the morphologies of vapor transported M0O 3 collected on a Si (100) substrate before and after stepwise reduction and sulfidation. These images further enable visualization of the vertical growth direction and high density of edge sites. Notably, the vertical growth orientation is achieved without mediation of a catalyst. Interestingly, the faceted M0O 3 nanosheets are transformed to thicker rounded M0O 2 discs upon reduction and finally converted to faceted M0S 2 nanosheets during sulfidation. The edge geometries in large measure reflect the intrinsic crystal structures of the phases. Orthorhombic ⁇ - ⁇ 3 crystallizes in a layered structure and thus faceted nanosheets are obtained comprising stacked layers.
- Figs. 4A-4E corroborate the phase identification of the prepared materials based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman microprobe analysis.
- XRD X-ray diffraction
- the XRD patterns acquired on CFP are dominated by the (002) reflections of the graphitic substrate.
- reflections corresponding to the deposited materials are discernible and are indexed to orthorhombic a- M0O 3 (Joint Committee on Powder Diffraction Standards (JCPDS) 76-1003), monoclinic M0O2 (JCPDS 86-0135), and hexagonal 2H-MoS 2 (JCPDS 87-2416) as shown in Fig. 4A.
- Clearer phase assignment is enabled from the Raman spectra shown in Fig.
- the Raman spectra of the nanodiscs formed by the reduction of the ⁇ - ⁇ 3 nanosheet using sulfur are an excellent match for phonon modes of monoclinic Mo0 2 as reported previously in the literature.
- the sulfide structures on CFP show clear Raman signatures of 2-H MoS 2 including Raman bands at 282, 377, and 404 cm "1 , which can be ascribed to modes of Ei g , E ⁇ 1 , and Ai g symmetry, respectively.
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis was performed by acquiring Mo 3d, O Is, and S 2p core level spectra of each product, to investigate the evolution of the chemical composition (Figs. 4C - 4E).
- the Mo 3d core level spectra are characterized by a distinctive doublet at 233.20 and 236.35 eV ascribed to the binding energies of Mo 3ds /2 and 3d 3/2 states, respectively; these binding energies are characteristic of hexavalent molybdenum, verifying stabilization of the M0O 3 phase.
- the O Is singlet at 530.95 eV is further in good agreement with the value expected for an inorganic oxide.
- the XPS spectra for the nanodiscs shows a substantial alteration of the Mo 3d binding energies to 229.80 and 233.05 eV for the Mo 3ds /2 and 3d 3/2 states, suggesting the stabilization of a tetravalent oxide of molybdenum.
- a remnant shoulder at 236.35 eV attributable to the binding energy of Mo 3d 3/2 for hexavalent molybdenum indicates incomplete reduction.
- Corresponding features in the O Is core level spectra at 530.75 and 531.85 eV can be attributed to M0O 2 and M0O 3 respectively.
- S 2p core level spectra at 162.75 and 163.80 eV can be ascribed to S 2p 3/2 and S 2p binding energies, respectively, revealing surface sulfidation forms some M0S 2 even at a temperature of 400°C.
- the nanosheets after sulfidation at 850°C show Mo 3d core level spectra at 229.70 and 232.85 eV attributable to binding energies for Mo 3ds /2 and Mo 3d 3/2 , respectively; these values are characteristic of M0S 2 .
- the small shoulder at 226.95 eV is attributed to S 2s.
- the enthalpy of hydrogen adsorption on M0S 2 edges has been estimated to be endo thermic by c a. 0.08 eV and the extent of H-coverage is limited to one in four atoms at the edges of M0S 2 . Reducing the overpotential and increasing catalytic efficiency requires a further decrease of the hydrogen adsorption enthalpy and an increase of the extent of H- coverage.
- One approach involves polarizing Mo— S bonds at the edges via electronic coupling with electron-donating or withdrawing moieties, ideally other semiconductors.
- the faceted M0S 2 nanosheets were interfaced with nCeo clusters deposited from solution to prepare hybrid architectures.
- nC 6 o Upon solution deposition from chlorobenzene solution (nC 6 o of 0.5 mg/mL), nCeo clusters that are ca. 7 ⁇ in diameter are deposited onto the fibers of CFP . Similar morphologies of nCeo were grown on the M0S 2 nanosheets. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) maps acquired at C, Mo, and S elemental edges verified the co- localization of the C 6 o clusters atop the M0S 2 nanosheets. EDS line profiles further verified the co-localization of nCeo clusters on the M0S 2 basal planes.
- EDS Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
- nCeo cluster and hybrid nC 6 o MoS 2 architectures are shown in Fig. 5. Distinctive Raman modes of C 6 o are evidence in both spectra with bands assigned to phonons of A g (l,2) and H g (l-8) symmetry. Both M0S 2 and C 6 o modes are discernible in the hybrid architecture.
- the coverage of nCeo clusters strongly depends on the concentration of the precursor solution.
- the size of the nCeo clusters increases with increasing concentration from 0.1 to 2.0 mg/mL.
- the relatively small nC 6 o clusters are homogenously distributed throughout the sample; however, upon increasing the concentration to 0.5 mg/mL, the homogeneity is somewhat reduced.
- the nCeo clusters are mostly present as large agglomerations that are rather sparsely distributed across the surface. In the concentration range examined, the clusters do not appear to form a continuous percolative network.
- nCeo clusters In order to evaluate quantitatively the coverage of nCeo clusters for a precursor concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, the sample deposited onto CFP has been examined by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) using 50 keV C 6 o 2+ ions as the source.
- SIMS secondary ion mass spectrometry
- the mass spectrum of negatively charged ions emitted from the surface of the clusters deposited on CFP is shown in Fig. 6.
- the ions emitted were carbon, hydrocarbon clusters, and intact molecular cluster ions of C 6 o with a yield ( number of secondary ions detected per single projectile impact) of 0.08%.
- the C 6 o clusters are ca. 7 ⁇ in diameter and cover ca. 2% of the total surface area of the carbon fibers of CFP. Indeed, the SEM and SIMS measurements indicate that optimal concentrations of the C 6 o solution are necessary to maximize interfacial interactions and prevent crystallization into larger nCeo cluster
- the 3D faceted M0S 2 nanosheets on CFP showed HER activity with a ⁇ value of 245 mV and a Tafel slope of 81 mV/dec.
- interfacing the M0S 2 nanosheets with nCeo resulted in a much lower overpotential.
- Hybrid nCeo (0.5 mg/mL)/MoS 2 structures had a ⁇ value of 172 mV and a Tafel slope of 60 mV/dec.
- a high Tafel slope value of pristine nCeo on CFP (>120 mV/dec) indicated that HER proceeds through the Volmer mechanism, wherein proton reduction yielding hydrogen ad- atoms bound to the active sites represents the rate determining step.
- low Tafel slope values measured for as-prepared 3D M0S2 and hybrid nC 6 o MoS2 (60 and 80 mV/dec) suggest the operation of the Volmer-Heyrovsky mechanism wherein the rate-determining steps involve both proton reduction and hydrogen desorption.
- the HER performance of the 3D array of M0S2 nanosheets with a high density of exposed edge-sites and their hybrid structures interfaced with nC 6 o are either higher or comparable to previously reported values for bulk or nanostructured M0S2.
- the hybrid materials reported here possess the advantages of well-defined architectures, conductive substrates, and scalability to centimeter-sized dimensions.
- Figs. 7A-7B contrast the polarization curves of various concentrations of nCeo clusters either deposited directly onto CFP or interfaced with 3D M0S2 nanosheets on CFP.
- the cathodic current density of the neat nCeo cluster formed on CFP measured at -0.4 V versus RHE is gradually decreased from 22.6 to 18.5 to 14.6 mA/cm 2 as the concentration of C 6 o deposition solution is increased from 0.1 to 0.5 to 2.0 mg/mL.
- the overpotential ⁇ is also increased from 331 to 353 to 363 mV.
- the lack of synergistic enhancement in the latter case can be attributed to the sparse and heterogeneous distribution of nCeo (2.0 mg/mL).
- the large agglomerations observed suggest that the buckministerfullerene clusters are not effectively interfaced with M0S2, which likely perturbs the electronic coupling necessary for improved HER performance as described below.
- electrochemically active surface areas of all the samples were estimated by measuring the double-layer capacitance (C d i) from cyclic voltammetry (CV) data across a potential range with no Faradaic current.
- the voltammograms were collected at various scan rates (20— 100 mV/s) in the potential range of 0.10— 0.30 V versus RHE, where the current is preponderantly due to the charging of the double layer (and not due to proton reduction).
- the resulting C d i and ECSA values are displayed as a function of C 6 o concentration in Fig. 8C.
- the C d i and ECSA of nCeo on CFP (9A) and hybrid nC 6 o MoS2 on CFP (9B and 9C) are respectively lower and higher than those of 3D M0S2 nanosheets on CFP (9D), and are decreased with increasing C 6 o concentration. From these results, it can be inferred that the nCeo clusters formed on CFP or M0S2/CFP are increasingly agglomerated and crystallized with increasing C 6 o concentration in solution, which is consistent with the morphologies observed by SEM.
- the C d i and ECSA of hybrid nC 6 o MoS2 appear to be the sum of those of nCeo and 3D M0S2 nanosheets on CFP.
- an increased concentration of electrochemically active sites does not necessarily translate to increased HER activity since the nCeo clusters alone are much less active as compared to the 3D M0S2 architectures.
- the turnover frequency (TOF), defined as the number of 3 ⁇ 4 molecules evolved per active site per unit time, is an essential parameter to contrast the inherent catalytic activity of different systems.
- Fig. 10A shows the Nyquist plots of as-prepared 3D M0S 2 nanosheets and hybrid nC 6 o MoS 2 architectures prepared on CFP measured at -150 mV vs. RHE.
- the Nyquist plots are fitted to an equivalent circuit model (inset of Fig.
- R s an ohmic resistance
- R ct charge-transfer resistance
- Q constant phase element
- W a Warburg constant
- the obtained R ct values are plotted as a function of potential in Fig. 10B for nCeo, as-prepared 3D M0S 2 nanosheets, and hybrid nC 6 o oS 2 architectures prepared on CFP.
- the kinetics of electrocatalytic HER on the different electrode samples can be evaluated based on their respective R ct values with a lower R ct value corresponding to a faster reaction rate.
- the resulting R ct values reveal a similar trend as the ⁇ and Tafel slope values deduced from the cathodic current density in polarization curves (Figs. 7A-7B and 8A-8B); specifically, the R ct values of 3D M0S 2 /CFP and hybrid nC 6 o MoS 2 prepared on CFP are nearly two orders of magnitude lower than those of nC 6 o/CFP. Furthermore, the lowest R ct values are obtained for the hybrid nCeo (0.5 mg/mL)/MoS 2 structure. Taken together, these results suggest that the enhanced HER performance observed upon interfacing with nCeo derive in large measure from the increased conductance of the hybrid constructs when C 6 o is appropriately interfaced with M0S 2 .
- the enhanced HER performance of the hybrid nCeo (0.5 mg/mL)/MoS2 structure likely derives from a charge transfer mechanism.
- the nCeo clusters donate electron density to M0S2 and give rise to a conductive interfacial layer that is much more effective at charge transport as compared to the relatively insulating basal planes of M0S2.
- Such charge transfer may also polarize the Mo— S bonds reducing the enthalpy of hydrogen adsorption.
- this mechanism essentially invoking interfacial doping of M0S2, is quite distinct from hybrid MoS2/carbon nanotube and MoS2/graphene heterostructures wherein the latter components actually form conductive pathways for electron transport between the CFP electrodes and the catalytically active edge sites, thereby mitigating the poor transport characteristics of the basal planes of 2H-M0S2.
- the role of interfacial doping is further underscored by the dependence of HER performance on the concentration of the C 6 o precursor solution and the morphology of the nCeo clusters. Agglomerated C 6 o clusters that are homogeneously dispersed across the M0S2 basal planes will be ineffective at modulating the electronic structure of M0S2 through electron transfer.
- the hybrid nC 6 o MoS2 catalysts show a slight increase of the overpotential ⁇ to 181 mV and the Tafel slope is changed to 65 mV/dec.
- the observed changes are suggestive of the partial loss of C 6 o clusters upon prolonged electrocatalytic cycling, which likely disrupts some of the interfacial charge transfer and thereby disrupts charge transport between the CFP substrate and active catalytic edges.
- the CVD processes were performed using a 1 -inch-diameter horizontal cold- wall quartz tube furnace equipped with gas flow controls.
- 15.0 mg of M0O 3 powder (Sigma-Aldrich, purity >99.5%) was placed within an alumina boat, which was placed at the center of tube.
- a bare CFP substrate (Toray Paper 120) with dimensions of 7 cm x 1 cm size was placed downstream from the M0O 3 source at a distance of 15 cm from the alumina boat.
- the M0O 3 powder was heated to 850°C at a ramp rate of 20°C/min and transported under a 68.3 seem Ar flow at 1 atm.
- the reactor was heated to a temperature of 400°C at a ramp rate of 20°C/min under an Ar flow of 100 seem at 1 atm to facilitate the reaction of sublimed sulfur with the M0O 3 nanosheets.
- the furnace was then naturally cooled to room temperature.
- a final CVD step was performed by replacing the spent sulfur in the alumina boat with an additional 100 mg of fresh elemental sulfur.
- the reactor was heated to 850°C at a ramp rate of 20°C/min under a 100 seem flow of Ar at 1 atm for 20 min after which the furnace was allowed to naturally cool to room temperature.
- the CFP paper was then removed from the center of the furnace for characterization and electrocatalytic evaluation.
- C 6 o powder (Strem Chemicals Inc., 99.9% purity) was dissolved in chlorobenzene at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 2.0 mg/mL, respectively.
- the M0S2/CFP (as well as bare CFP as a control) were immersed within the chlorobenzene solutions for 1 min and then removed. Subsequently, the samples were annealed at 160°C for 10 min under a flowing Ar atmosphere.
- the morphology of the prepared materials was examined by field-emission scanning electron microscopy using a JEOL JSM-7500F instrument.
- the edge-sites of M0S2 flakes harvested from the M0S2/CFP sample by ultrasonication for 1 h in toluene were examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy using a JEOL JEM-2010 instrument operated at an accelerating voltage of 200 keV.
- Raman spectra were collected with excitation from the 514.5 nm line of an Ar-ion laser; the laser power was kept below 10 mW to minimize photooxidation.
- the chemical composition and oxidation states of M0O 3 , M0O2, and M0S2 prepared on CFP were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, Omicron XPS) with Mg Ka radiation (1253.6 eV). Energy calibration was achieved by setting the Cls line from adventitious hydrocarbons to 284.8 eV.
- the elemental composition of the C 6 o clusters deposited on CFP and MoS2-deposited CFP was examined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) coupled to the FE-SEM system.
- EDS energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
- the coverage of C 6 o (0.5 mg/mL) clusters deposited on CFP was measured on a custom-made secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) using C 6 o 2+ projectiles with an energy of 50 keV as the source.
- SIMS secondary ion mass spectrometer
- Polarization curves for HER were measured using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) in the range between 0.1 and -0.4 V versus RHE at a scan rate of 8 mV/s.
- the polarization curves were corrected for the ohmic potential drop (iR) losses, where R is the series resistance of the electrochemical cell as determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements.
- EIS measurements were performed in the range between 200 kHz and 50 mHz using an AC amplitude of 25 mV.
- the EIS measurements for obtaining the charge- transfer resistance (R ct ) values were performed at various potentials between 10 and -250 mV by sweeping the frequency from 200 kHz to 100 mHz using an AC amplitude of 10 mV.
- the double-layer capacitance (C d i) of the samples was determined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in the potential range of 0.10— 0.30 V versus RHE at scan rates between 20— 100 mV/s.
- electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the generic language of the following claims enabled by the embodiments described herein, or otherwise shown in the drawings or described above in terms sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction.
Abstract
The electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction includes nanosheets of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) deposited on a carbon fiber substrate. The catalyst is formed in stepwise fashion by chemical vapor deposition of nanosheets of MoO3 onto the substrate, then reducing the MoO3 to nanosheets of MoO2 using sublimed sulfur, then by reaction of sulfur vapor with the MoO2 to form nanosheets of MoS2 on the carbon fiber substrate. The catalyst is multifaceted, having a large density of edges providing catalytically active sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The activity of the catalyst is enhanced by coating the catalyst with spherical fullerenes (nC60).
Description
ELECTROCATALYST FOR HYDROGEN EVOLUTION REACTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
The disclosure of the present patent application relates to an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction, and particularly to an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction that includes nanosheets of molybdenum disulfide (M0S2) deposited on a carbon fiber substrate.
BACKGROUND ART
Sunlight shining on earth is intermittent. As such, a fundamental impediment to meaningful utilization of sunlight is the effective storage of solar energy. Water splitting, or the disproportionation of ¾0 into ¾ and O2, represents a promising strategy but is non- trivial because it requires the concerted transfer of four electrons and four protons. In nature, the complex biological machinery for photosynthesis couples multiple platforms wherein the light harvesting, water oxidation, and proton reduction steps are each performed by discrete components. Consequently, there is much interest in hybrid structures wherein discrete components perform each of the individual reactions required for photocatalysis. A viable photocatalytic cycle can be constituted by coupling photocatalytic water oxidation with electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The latter hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), however, is beset by a distinctive set of challenges.
The Pt group metals are excellent catalysts for HER and evolve hydrogen at near- zero overpotentials in acidic media but are cost prohibitive and amongst the least abundant elements available to mankind. There has been a strong push to develop alternatives and some success was achieved with M0S2 as well as transition metal phosphides. In those strategies, however, the electrocatalytic activity of M0S2 was mainly derived from catalytically active edge sites. The basal planes were thought to be catalytically inert with some exceptions. Furthermore, the low charge carrier mobility of M0S2 was an impediment to its use as an electrocatalyst. Also, those materials generally tend to evolve ¾ at high overpotentials in comparison to Pt.
Chemical vapor deposition is ubiquitously used to prepare well-crystallized M0S2 architectures, typically using molybdenum oxide or chloride precursors. A major drawback of this method as applied to the growth of M0S2 is that it necessitates the operation of several concurrent reactions. Consequently, previously obtained M0S2 electrocatalyst samples are
often plagued by poor size and shape homogeneity, with sparse substrate coverage.
Thus, an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction solving the aforementioned problems are desired.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction includes homogeneously sized nanosheets of molybdenum disulfide (M0S2) integrated on a carbon fiber paper substrate, with exposed catalytically active edge sites. The nanosheets are well distributed and vertically oriented. The electrocatalyst is prepared by the stepwise reduction and sulfidation of M0O3. The direct integration of edge-exposed M0S2 nanosheets onto CFP yields a 3D architecture with a high surface-to- volume ratio desirable for electrocatalytic applications. The inherent HER activity of the edge-sites of M0S2 can be enhanced significantly by interfacing with nC6o nanoclusters, as a result of the enhancement of the conductivity of M0S2 owing to charge transfer.
These and other features of the present disclosure will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is schematic diagram illustrating the steps for preparing the electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction.
Fig. 2A is a FESEM image showing homogeneous distribution of M0S2 nanosheets grown on textured CFP substrate.
Fig. 2B is a high-magnification SEM image of an individual M0S2 nanosheet.
Fig. 2C is a low-magnification TEM image of a nanosheet depicting locations of "clean" well-faceted and "collapsed" edges.
Fig. 2D is an HRTEM image of a "clean" edge.
Fig. 2E is an HRTEM image of a discontinuous "collapsed" edge.
Fig. 3A is a FESEM image of M0O3 harvested from a flat Si(100) substrate.
Fig. 3B is a FESEM image of M0O2 harvested from a flat Si(100) substrate.
Fig. 3C is a FESEM image of M0S2 harvested from a flat Si(100) substrate.
Fig. 3D is a FESEM image of M0S2 nanosheets harvested from a flat Si(100) substrate.
Fig. 3E is a FESEM image of M0S2 nanosheets harvested from a flat Si(100)
substrate.
Fig. 3F is a FESEM image of M0S2 nanosheets harvested from a flat Si(100) substrate, showing additional edge sites created on the basal plane of the nanosheets.
Fig. 4A shows XRD patterns of M0O3 nanosheets, M0O2 nanodisks, and M0S2 nanosheets prepared on CFP.
Fig. 4B shows Raman spectra (514.5 nm laser excitation) of M0O3 nanosheets, M0O2 nanodisks, and M0S2 nanosheets prepared on CFP.
Fig. 4C shows XPS spectra indicating Mo 3d binding energies.
Fig. 4D shows XPS spectra indicating O ls binding energies
Fig. 4E shows XPS spectra indicating S 2p binding energies
Fig. 5 shows Raman spectra of the nCeo cluster and hybrid nC6o MoS2 architectures.
Fig. 6 shows the mass spectrum of negatively charged ions emitted from the surface of the clusters deposited on CFP.
Fig. 7A shows polarization curves of various concentrations of nCeo clusters deposited directly onto CFP.
Fig. 7B shows polarization curves of various concentrations of nCeo clusters interfaced with 3D M0S2 nanosheets on CFP.
Fig. 8A shows a cyclic voltammogram acquired in the range between 0.10-0.30 V vs. RHE for neat nCeo clusters deposited on CFP from solutions of C6o concentration of 0.1 mg/mL.
Fig. 8B shows a cyclic voltammogram acquired in the range between 0.10-0.30 V vs. RHE for neat nC6o clusters deposited on CFP from solutions of C6o concentration of 0.5 mg/mL.
Fig. 8C shows a cyclic voltammogram acquired in the range between 0.10-0.30 V vs. RHE for neat nC6o clusters deposited on CFP from solutions of C6o concentration of 2.0 mg/mL.
Fig. 8D is a graph showing differences in current density Aj=ja-jc at 0.20 V versus RHE, plotted as a function of scan rate with each plot fitted to a straight line to determine the Cdi values.
Fig. 9A shows a voltammogram acquired in the range of 0.15-0.30 V versus RHE for as-prepared 3D M0S2.
Fig. 9B shows a voltammogram acquired in the range of 0.15-0.30 V versus RHE for hybrid nC60 (0.1 mg/mL)/MoS2.
Fig. 9C shows a voltammogram acquired in the range of 0.15-0.30 V versus RHE for
for hybrid nC6o (0.5 mg/mL)/MoS2.
Fig. 9D shows a voltammogram acquired in the range of 0.15-0.30 V versus RHE for for hybrid nC60 (2.0 mg/mL)/MoS2.
Fig. 9E is a graph showing differences in current density (Aj = ja-jc) at 0.23 V versus RHE are plotted as a function of the scan rate (the Cdi values are extrapolated from a linear fit to the plot).
Fig. 10A shows the Nyquist plots of as-prepared 3D M0S2 nanosheets and hybrid nC6o MoS2 architectures prepared on CFP measured at -150 mV vs. RHE.
Fig. 10B shows Rct values plotted as a function of potential for nCeo, as-prepared 3D M0S2 nanosheets, and hybrid nC6o MoS2 architectures prepared on CFP.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction includes high-edge-density M0S2 nanosheets directly integrated with conductive carbon fiber paper (CFP). The nanosheets can be vertically aligned. The nanosheets can be 3-dimensional, polycrystalline nanosheets. The nanosheets are homogeneously dispersed across centimeter scales and have a high density of exposed edge sites. The nanosheets can include a mixture of faceted as well as discontinuous collapsed edges within the basal planes, induced by volume expansion accompanying topochemical sulfidation, as described herein. The M0S2 nanosheets on the CFP can exhibit an overpotential ηιο value of about 245 mV at 10 mA/cm2 a Tafel slope of about 81 mV/dec, and a turnover frequency (TOF) of about 1.28 ¾/s per active site at -0.2 V versus RHE in a 0.5 M acidic solution.
The catalyst can further include Buckminsterfullerenes or spherical fullerenes (nC6o). For example, the 3D M0S2 nanosheets can be interfaced with nCeo clusters by a facile solution-deposition method. The hybrid structures show greatly enhanced HER activity with an overpotential η10 value of about 172 mV and a Tafel slope of about 60 mV/dec when the deposition concentration of C6o is about 0.5 mg/mL. This condition corresponds to about a 2% coverage of the M0S2 nanosheets by nCeo clusters. The improved activity of the hybrid catalysts is believed to derive from the interfacial charge transfer at nC6o MoS2 p— n heteroj unctions. An optimal coverage of nCeo with a homogeneous distribution can facilitate such interfacial doping.
The catalyst can be formed in stepwise fashion by chemical vapor deposition of nanosheets of M0O3 onto a carbon fiber substrate, reducing the M0O3 to nanosheets of M0O2 using sublimed sulfur, then reacting sulfur vapor with the M0O2 to form nanosheets of M0S2 on the carbon fiber substrate. The resulting catalyst is multifaceted, having a large density of edges providing catalytically active sites for hydrogen evolution reaction.
The stepwise vapor transport, reduction, and sublimation steps used to prepare edge- exposed M0S2 nanosheets on CFP are schematically illustrated in Fig. 1. In the first step, M0O3 nanosheets that are about 1-2 μιη in lateral dimensions are deposited onto CFP by the vapor transport of M0O3 powder heated to 850°C.
In the next step, reaction with sublimed sulfur at 400°C as per:
2M0O3 (s) + S (g) 2M0O2 (s) + SO2 (g)...(1)
yields M0O2 nanosheets with retention of the vertical growth orientation, although the edges are slightly rounded. Finally, the topochemical sulfidation of M0O2 at 850°C as per:
M0O2 (s) + 3S (g) MoS2 (s) + SO2 (g)...(2)
yields faceted M0S2 nanosheets that are uniformly dispersed and vertically oriented across a large area (about 2 cm2) of the CFP (Fig. 2A). Figs. 2B-2E illustrate "clean," well- faceted, and "collapsed" edges of an individual M0S2 nanosheet.
Figs. 3A-3F illustrate the morphologies of vapor transported M0O3 collected on a Si (100) substrate before and after stepwise reduction and sulfidation. These images further enable visualization of the vertical growth direction and high density of edge sites. Notably, the vertical growth orientation is achieved without mediation of a catalyst. Interestingly, the faceted M0O3 nanosheets are transformed to thicker rounded M0O2 discs upon reduction and finally converted to faceted M0S2 nanosheets during sulfidation. The edge geometries in large measure reflect the intrinsic crystal structures of the phases. Orthorhombic α-Μοθ3 crystallizes in a layered structure and thus faceted nanosheets are obtained comprising stacked layers. Reduction to monoclinic M0O2 yields rounded edges, whereas topochemical transformation to 2H-M0S2 again yields faceted structures reflecting the layered stacking of M0S2 sheets. The considerable lattice mismatch between M0O2 and M0S2 results in a substantial volume change, which creates a distinctive discontinuous motif characterized by faceted "clean" and discontinuous "collapsed" domains along the M0S2 basal planes. The latter is important as it allows for exposure of an increased density of catalytically active edge-sites.
Figs. 4A-4E corroborate the phase identification of the prepared materials based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman microprobe analysis. The XRD patterns acquired on
CFP are dominated by the (002) reflections of the graphitic substrate. However, reflections corresponding to the deposited materials are discernible and are indexed to orthorhombic a- M0O3 (Joint Committee on Powder Diffraction Standards (JCPDS) 76-1003), monoclinic M0O2 (JCPDS 86-0135), and hexagonal 2H-MoS2 (JCPDS 87-2416) as shown in Fig. 4A. Clearer phase assignment is enabled from the Raman spectra shown in Fig. 4B since the graphitic D and G bands from the substrate are only observed above 1300 cm"1. The Raman bands of the nanosheets formed in the first step are well matched with the Raman active modes of orthorhombic α-Μοθ3 reported in the literature. The detailed Raman band assignments of the prepared α-Μοθ3 nanosheets are listed in Table 1.
Table 1 : Photon Mode Assignments for Raman bands measured for α-Μοθ3 nanosheets
α-Μοθ3 nanosheet
(produced by the 1st process)
Bands (cm-1) Raman modes Assignments
995 Ag vas 0=Mo stretch
819 Ag vs 0=Mo=0 stretch
665 B2g/B3g vas Mo-O-Mo stretch
472 Ag vas Mo-O-Mo stretch and bend
378 B ig δ 0=Mo=0 scissoring
364 Ag δ 0=Mo=0 scissoring
337 Ag/Blg δ Mo-O-Mo bend
290 B3g δ 0=Mo=0 wagging
282 B2g δ 0=Mo=0 wagging
245 B3g τ 0=Mo=0 twist
216 Ag rotational rigid Mo04-chain mode, Rc
196 B2g τ 0=Mo=0 twist
157 Ag/B ig translational rigid Mo04-chain mode, Tb
127 B3g translational rigid Mo04-chain mode, Tc
114 B2g translational rigid Mo04-chain mode, Tc
The Raman spectra of the nanodiscs formed by the reduction of the α-Μοθ3 nanosheet using sulfur are an excellent match for phonon modes of monoclinic Mo02 as reported previously in the literature. The sulfide structures on CFP show clear Raman signatures of 2-H MoS2 including Raman bands at 282, 377, and 404 cm"1, which can be ascribed to modes of Eig, E^1, and Aig symmetry, respectively. X-ray photoelectron
spectroscopy (XPS) analysis was performed by acquiring Mo 3d, O Is, and S 2p core level spectra of each product, to investigate the evolution of the chemical composition (Figs. 4C - 4E). The Mo 3d core level spectra are characterized by a distinctive doublet at 233.20 and 236.35 eV ascribed to the binding energies of Mo 3ds/2 and 3d3/2 states, respectively; these binding energies are characteristic of hexavalent molybdenum, verifying stabilization of the M0O3 phase. The O Is singlet at 530.95 eV is further in good agreement with the value expected for an inorganic oxide.
Upon reduction with sulfur, the XPS spectra for the nanodiscs shows a substantial alteration of the Mo 3d binding energies to 229.80 and 233.05 eV for the Mo 3ds/2 and 3d3/2 states, suggesting the stabilization of a tetravalent oxide of molybdenum. A remnant shoulder at 236.35 eV attributable to the binding energy of Mo 3d3/2 for hexavalent molybdenum indicates incomplete reduction. Corresponding features in the O Is core level spectra at 530.75 and 531.85 eV, can be attributed to M0O2 and M0O3 respectively. Furthermore, a distinctive doublet is discernible in S 2p core level spectra at 162.75 and 163.80 eV and can be ascribed to S 2p3/2 and S 2p binding energies, respectively, revealing surface sulfidation forms some M0S2 even at a temperature of 400°C. The nanosheets after sulfidation at 850°C show Mo 3d core level spectra at 229.70 and 232.85 eV attributable to binding energies for Mo 3ds/2 and Mo 3d3/2, respectively; these values are characteristic of M0S2. The small shoulder at 226.95 eV is attributed to S 2s. A much more pronounced doublet is observed in S core level spectra at 162.65 and 163.75 eV assigned to S 2ρ3β and S 2pi/2 binding energies, respectively. These values verify the sulfidation of M0O2. A broad O Is spectrum with a peak at 532.60 eV is attributed to surface-adsorbed oxygen species.
The enthalpy of hydrogen adsorption on M0S2 edges has been estimated to be endo thermic by c a. 0.08 eV and the extent of H-coverage is limited to one in four atoms at the edges of M0S2. Reducing the overpotential and increasing catalytic efficiency requires a further decrease of the hydrogen adsorption enthalpy and an increase of the extent of H- coverage. One approach involves polarizing Mo— S bonds at the edges via electronic coupling with electron-donating or withdrawing moieties, ideally other semiconductors. Here, the faceted M0S2 nanosheets were interfaced with nCeo clusters deposited from solution to prepare hybrid architectures. Upon solution deposition from chlorobenzene solution (nC6o of 0.5 mg/mL), nCeo clusters that are ca. 7 μιη in diameter are deposited onto the fibers of CFP . Similar morphologies of nCeo were grown on the M0S2 nanosheets. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) maps acquired at C, Mo, and S elemental edges verified the co- localization of the C6o clusters atop the M0S2 nanosheets. EDS line profiles further verified
the co-localization of nCeo clusters on the M0S2 basal planes. The Raman spectra of the nCeo cluster and hybrid nC6o MoS2 architectures are shown in Fig. 5. Distinctive Raman modes of C6o are evidence in both spectra with bands assigned to phonons of Ag(l,2) and Hg(l-8) symmetry. Both M0S2 and C6o modes are discernible in the hybrid architecture. The coverage of nCeo clusters strongly depends on the concentration of the precursor solution. The size of the nCeo clusters increases with increasing concentration from 0.1 to 2.0 mg/mL. Notably, at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL, the relatively small nC6o clusters are homogenously distributed throughout the sample; however, upon increasing the concentration to 0.5 mg/mL, the homogeneity is somewhat reduced. Upon increasing the precursor concentration to 2.0 mg/mL, the nCeo clusters are mostly present as large agglomerations that are rather sparsely distributed across the surface. In the concentration range examined, the clusters do not appear to form a continuous percolative network. In order to evaluate quantitatively the coverage of nCeo clusters for a precursor concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, the sample deposited onto CFP has been examined by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) using 50 keV C6o2+ ions as the source. The mass spectrum of negatively charged ions emitted from the surface of the clusters deposited on CFP is shown in Fig. 6. The ions emitted were carbon, hydrocarbon clusters, and intact molecular cluster ions of C6o with a yield ( number of secondary ions detected per single projectile impact) of 0.08%. The C6o clusters are ca. 7 μιη in diameter and cover ca. 2% of the total surface area of the carbon fibers of CFP. Indeed, the SEM and SIMS measurements indicate that optimal concentrations of the C6o solution are necessary to maximize interfacial interactions and prevent crystallization into larger nCeo clusters.
The electrocatalytic HER performance of CFP based samples with nCeo clusters alone, as-prepared 3D M0S2 nanosheets, and hybrid nC6o MoS2 architectures were investigated in a 0.5 M aqueous solution of H2SO4, using a conventional three-electrode setup. Bare CFP was contrasted as a control and was essentially catalytically inert towards HER. In contrast, nCeo (0.5 mg/mL) clusters on CFP exhibited a finite cathodic current density with an overpotential of 353 mV, reaching a current density of 10 mA/cm2 (ηιο) and a Tafel slope of 169 mV/dec. The 3D faceted M0S2 nanosheets on CFP showed HER activity with a ηιο value of 245 mV and a Tafel slope of 81 mV/dec. Remarkably, interfacing the M0S2 nanosheets with nCeo resulted in a much lower overpotential. Hybrid nCeo (0.5 mg/mL)/MoS2 structures had a ηιο value of 172 mV and a Tafel slope of 60 mV/dec. These results clearly indicate the synergistic enhancement of HER activity as a result of coupling between nCeo and M0S2.
A high Tafel slope value of pristine nCeo on CFP (>120 mV/dec) indicated that HER proceeds through the Volmer mechanism, wherein proton reduction yielding hydrogen ad- atoms bound to the active sites represents the rate determining step. In contrast, low Tafel slope values measured for as-prepared 3D M0S2 and hybrid nC6o MoS2 (60 and 80 mV/dec) suggest the operation of the Volmer-Heyrovsky mechanism wherein the rate-determining steps involve both proton reduction and hydrogen desorption. It is noteworthy that the HER performance of the 3D array of M0S2 nanosheets with a high density of exposed edge-sites and their hybrid structures interfaced with nC6o are either higher or comparable to previously reported values for bulk or nanostructured M0S2. In addition, the hybrid materials reported here possess the advantages of well-defined architectures, conductive substrates, and scalability to centimeter-sized dimensions.
Figs. 7A-7B contrast the polarization curves of various concentrations of nCeo clusters either deposited directly onto CFP or interfaced with 3D M0S2 nanosheets on CFP. The cathodic current density of the neat nCeo cluster formed on CFP measured at -0.4 V versus RHE is gradually decreased from 22.6 to 18.5 to 14.6 mA/cm2 as the concentration of C6o deposition solution is increased from 0.1 to 0.5 to 2.0 mg/mL. With increasing concentration of C6o solution, the overpotential ηιο is also increased from 331 to 353 to 363 mV. As noted above, the hybrid nC6o MoS2 electrocatalyst prepared using 0.5 mg/mL C6o deposition solution shows the best HER performance with the highest current density (70.2v = 18.0 mA/cm2 at 0.2 V vs. RHE), lowest ηι0 value (172 mV), and the lowest Tafel slope (60 mV/dec). The nCeo (0.1 mg/mL)/MoS2 sample (70.2v = 5.2 mA/cm2, ηιο = 245 mV, and Tafel slope = 74 mV/dec) exhibits substantially worse performance that is analogous to the 3D M0S2 nanosheets without C6o hybridization (70.2v = 5.0 mA/cm2, ηιο = 245 mV, and Tafel slope = 81 mV/dec). At such low concentrations, the limited nCeo coverage likely limits the extent to which the edge reactivity is modulated. At substantially higher solution concentrations of C6o, the HER performance is diminished as well. The nCeo (2.0 mg/mL)/MoS2 sample is characterized by values of /o.2v = 3.9 mA/cm2, ηιο = 273 mV, and a Tafel slope = 80 mV/dec. The lack of synergistic enhancement in the latter case can be attributed to the sparse and heterogeneous distribution of nCeo (2.0 mg/mL). The large agglomerations observed suggest that the buckministerfullerene clusters are not effectively interfaced with M0S2, which likely perturbs the electronic coupling necessary for improved HER performance as described below.
In order to examine the mechanistic basis for the observed modulation of electrocatalytic properties upon interfacing with nCeo, electrochemically active surface areas
(ECSA) of all the samples were estimated by measuring the double-layer capacitance (Cdi) from cyclic voltammetry (CV) data across a potential range with no Faradaic current. The voltammograms were collected at various scan rates (20— 100 mV/s) in the potential range of 0.10— 0.30 V versus RHE, where the current is preponderantly due to the charging of the double layer (and not due to proton reduction). Figs. 8A-8D and 9A-9E depict CV curves acquired for nCeo, 3D nanosheets of M0S2, and hybrid nC6o MoS2 architectures with various C6o concentrations. The differences (Δ/') of anodic and cathodic current densities at 0.20 and 0.23 V versus RHE for each CV plot is shown as a function of the scan rate in Fig. 8D and Fig. 9E. The slope of each Aj versus scan rate plot is equal to a value of 2Cdi. The ECSA were obtained from the ratio of the measured Cdi with respect to the specific capacitance of flat crystalline M0S2 (ca. 66.7 μΡ/cm2). The resulting Cdi and ECSA values are displayed as a function of C6o concentration in Fig. 8C. Significantly, the Cdi and ECSA of nCeo on CFP (9A) and hybrid nC6o MoS2 on CFP (9B and 9C) are respectively lower and higher than those of 3D M0S2 nanosheets on CFP (9D), and are decreased with increasing C6o concentration. From these results, it can be inferred that the nCeo clusters formed on CFP or M0S2/CFP are increasingly agglomerated and crystallized with increasing C6o concentration in solution, which is consistent with the morphologies observed by SEM. Furthermore, the Cdi and ECSA of hybrid nC6o MoS2 appear to be the sum of those of nCeo and 3D M0S2 nanosheets on CFP. However, an increased concentration of electrochemically active sites does not necessarily translate to increased HER activity since the nCeo clusters alone are much less active as compared to the 3D M0S2 architectures. The decrease of Cdi and ECSA with increasing C6o concentration of the precursor solution leads only to a slight deterioration of the cathodic current density for nC6o/CFP and the Tafel slope is mostly preserved, indicating that the changes in Cdi, ECSA, and the resulting number of active sites do not fundamentally alter the HER mechanism (i.e., Volmer reaction in the neat C6o) and rate (Fig. 9E). These two sets of observations suggest that the improved HER performance observed for the hybrid nCeo (0.5 mg/mL)/MoS2 electrocatalyst is derived from an intrinsic enhancement of the inherent catalytic activity of M0S2 for HER rather than an increase in the number of active sites upon C6o deposition.
The turnover frequency (TOF), defined as the number of ¾ molecules evolved per active site per unit time, is an essential parameter to contrast the inherent catalytic activity of different systems. The TOF can be calculated using the expression TOF = 7NA/2Fn(ECSA), where / is the current density, NA is Avogadro's number, 2 represents the stoichiometric number of electrons consumed at the electrode during HER, F is Faraday's constant, n is the
number of active sites (1.164 x 1015 cm"2) on a flat surface of crystalline M0S2, and ECSA is the electrochemically active surface area of the electrode. Fig. 7D plots the TOF (per active site) of the 3D M0S2/CFP and hybrid nCeo (0.5 mg/mL)/MoS2 structure prepared on CFP in the applied potential range of -0.1 to -0.3 V versus RHE; in this regime, the HER is controlled by electrode kinetics with minimal influence from other effects. The measured TOF of the hybrid nCeo (0.5 mg/mL)/MoS2 structure at -0.2 V (2.33 ¾/s per active site) is nearly twice as high as that of 3D M0S2 nanosheets (1.28 H2/s per active site) on CFP. These results highlight the synergistic enhancement of the inherent catalytic activity of the edge sites of the M0S2 nanosheets upon nCeo hybridization. The 3D hybrid architectures constructed on mesoporous CFP clearly represent viable electrocatalysts.
In order to further investigate a possible origin of the enhanced HER performance observed for the hybrid nCeo (0.5 mg/mL)/MoS2 structure, electrochemical impedance measurements were performed at various potentials between 10 and -250 mV by sweeping the frequency from 200 kHz to 100 mHz with an AC amplitude of 10 mV. Fig. 10A shows the Nyquist plots of as-prepared 3D M0S2 nanosheets and hybrid nC6o MoS2 architectures prepared on CFP measured at -150 mV vs. RHE. The Nyquist plots are fitted to an equivalent circuit model (inset of Fig. 10A) comprising the following elements: an ohmic resistance (Rs), a charge-transfer resistance (Rct), constant phase element (Q), and a Warburg constant (W). The obtained Rct values are plotted as a function of potential in Fig. 10B for nCeo, as-prepared 3D M0S2 nanosheets, and hybrid nC6o oS2 architectures prepared on CFP. The kinetics of electrocatalytic HER on the different electrode samples can be evaluated based on their respective Rct values with a lower Rct value corresponding to a faster reaction rate. The resulting Rct values reveal a similar trend as the ηιο and Tafel slope values deduced from the cathodic current density in polarization curves (Figs. 7A-7B and 8A-8B); specifically, the Rct values of 3D M0S2/CFP and hybrid nC6o MoS2 prepared on CFP are nearly two orders of magnitude lower than those of nC6o/CFP. Furthermore, the lowest Rct values are obtained for the hybrid nCeo (0.5 mg/mL)/MoS2 structure. Taken together, these results suggest that the enhanced HER performance observed upon interfacing with nCeo derive in large measure from the increased conductance of the hybrid constructs when C6o is appropriately interfaced with M0S2.
Indeed, recent ab initio density functional theory calculations of C60 M0S2 constructs are particularly instructive in understanding the nature of the interface formed between these two semiconductors. Prior studies have determined that the lowest energy configuration for these heterostructures corresponds to the hexagonal rings of C6o situating directly above S
sites on the basal planes of M0S2 resulting in buckministerfullerene molecules being able to rotate freely on the surface. This configuration yields a Type-II interface with charge depletion from C6o and charge accumulation on M0S2 estimated to be ca. 0.055 e" per C6o unit. This directional charge transfer is thought to be key to the reduced resistance of the hybrid constructs. Indeed, the Type-II alignment has been further verified by recent theoretical and experimental studies of C60 M0S2 hybrids. Studies have predicted that the valence band edge of M0S2 (-4.5 eV) resides lower than that of C6o (-3.8 eV), resulting in charge transfer and electron accumulation on M0S2 when the two semiconductors are interfaced. Upon application of an electric field, the steadily increasing electron density in M0S2 reduces the junction-barrier height, further allowing facile electron tunneling and transport and giving rise to conductive pathways along the interfaces of the resulting C60 M0S2 p— n heteroj unctions. Therefore, based on the measured TOF, deduced resistance values, and charge transfer resistance values extrapolated from EIS data, the enhanced HER performance of the hybrid nCeo (0.5 mg/mL)/MoS2 structure likely derives from a charge transfer mechanism. The nCeo clusters donate electron density to M0S2 and give rise to a conductive interfacial layer that is much more effective at charge transport as compared to the relatively insulating basal planes of M0S2. Such charge transfer may also polarize the Mo— S bonds reducing the enthalpy of hydrogen adsorption. Notably, this mechanism, essentially invoking interfacial doping of M0S2, is quite distinct from hybrid MoS2/carbon nanotube and MoS2/graphene heterostructures wherein the latter components actually form conductive pathways for electron transport between the CFP electrodes and the catalytically active edge sites, thereby mitigating the poor transport characteristics of the basal planes of 2H-M0S2. The role of interfacial doping is further underscored by the dependence of HER performance on the concentration of the C6o precursor solution and the morphology of the nCeo clusters. Agglomerated C6o clusters that are homogeneously dispersed across the M0S2 basal planes will be ineffective at modulating the electronic structure of M0S2 through electron transfer.
To assess the long-term stability of nCeo (0.5 mg/mL)/CFP, 3D M0S2/CFP, and hybrid nCeo (0.5 mg/mL)/MoS2 on CFP as electrocatalysts for HER, CV sweeps have been performed for 1000 cycles in a 0.5 M aqueous solution of H2SO4 in the range between -0.2 and 0.2 V versus RHE at a scan rate of 100 mV/s. The polarization curve for the 3D M0S2 on CFP is almost exactly superimposable upon the initial data suggesting no degradation in performance (Fig. 7B). In contrast, after 1000 cycles, the hybrid nC6o MoS2 catalysts show a slight increase of the overpotential ηιο to 181 mV and the Tafel slope is changed to 65 mV/dec. The observed changes are suggestive of the partial loss of C6o clusters upon
prolonged electrocatalytic cycling, which likely disrupts some of the interfacial charge transfer and thereby disrupts charge transport between the CFP substrate and active catalytic edges.
The electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction will now be illustrated by the following examples, which do not limit the scope defined by the appended claims.
Example 1
Preparation of M0S2 nanosheets, C6o clusters, and their hybrid structures
The CVD processes were performed using a 1 -inch-diameter horizontal cold- wall quartz tube furnace equipped with gas flow controls. In the first step to prepare M0O3 nanosheets, 15.0 mg of M0O3 powder (Sigma-Aldrich, purity >99.5%) was placed within an alumina boat, which was placed at the center of tube. A bare CFP substrate (Toray Paper 120) with dimensions of 7 cm x 1 cm size was placed downstream from the M0O3 source at a distance of 15 cm from the alumina boat. After an initial Ar purge for 30 min, the M0O3 powder was heated to 850°C at a ramp rate of 20°C/min and transported under a 68.3 seem Ar flow at 1 atm. After holding at 850°C for 10 min, the furnace was allowed to cool naturally to room temperature. Subsequently, M0O3 nanosheets integrated onto ca. 2 cm2 areas of the CFP were recovered. Such nanosheets were reproducibly formed at a distance of ca. 18— 20 cm from the alumina boat. The MoCVdeposited CFP was cut to dimensions of 4 cm x 1 cm thereby preserving margins on all sides. This substrate was then placed at the center of the tube furnace but downstream at a distance of 20 cm from an alumina boat containing 100 mg of elemental sulfur powder (Alfa Aesar, 99.5% purity). Next, after purging with Ar, the reactor was heated to a temperature of 400°C at a ramp rate of 20°C/min under an Ar flow of 100 seem at 1 atm to facilitate the reaction of sublimed sulfur with the M0O3 nanosheets. After holding at 400°C for 20 min, the furnace was then naturally cooled to room temperature. Subsequently, a final CVD step was performed by replacing the spent sulfur in the alumina boat with an additional 100 mg of fresh elemental sulfur. The reactor was heated to 850°C at a ramp rate of 20°C/min under a 100 seem flow of Ar at 1 atm for 20 min after which the furnace was allowed to naturally cool to room temperature. The CFP paper was then removed from the center of the furnace for characterization and electrocatalytic evaluation.
In order to prepare hybrid nC6o MoS2 structures on CFP, C6o powder (Strem Chemicals Inc., 99.9% purity) was dissolved in chlorobenzene at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5,
and 2.0 mg/mL, respectively. The M0S2/CFP (as well as bare CFP as a control) were immersed within the chlorobenzene solutions for 1 min and then removed. Subsequently, the samples were annealed at 160°C for 10 min under a flowing Ar atmosphere.
Example 2
Structural characterization
The morphology of the prepared materials was examined by field-emission scanning electron microscopy using a JEOL JSM-7500F instrument. The edge-sites of M0S2 flakes harvested from the M0S2/CFP sample by ultrasonication for 1 h in toluene were examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy using a JEOL JEM-2010 instrument operated at an accelerating voltage of 200 keV. Phase assignment was performed with the help of X-ray diffraction using a Bruker D8-Advance instrument equipped with a Cu Ka source (λ = 1.5418 A) as well as by Raman microprobe analysis using a Jobin-Yvon HORIBA LabRAM HR800 instrument coupled to an Olympus BX41 microscope. Raman spectra were collected with excitation from the 514.5 nm line of an Ar-ion laser; the laser power was kept below 10 mW to minimize photooxidation. The chemical composition and oxidation states of M0O3, M0O2, and M0S2 prepared on CFP were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, Omicron XPS) with Mg Ka radiation (1253.6 eV). Energy calibration was achieved by setting the Cls line from adventitious hydrocarbons to 284.8 eV. The elemental composition of the C6o clusters deposited on CFP and MoS2-deposited CFP was examined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) coupled to the FE-SEM system. The coverage of C6o (0.5 mg/mL) clusters deposited on CFP was measured on a custom-made secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) using C6o2+ projectiles with an energy of 50 keV as the source.
Example 3
Electrochemical characterization
The HER performance of the prepared materials was evaluated using a three-electrode cell with the help of a Bio-Logic potentiostat (SP-200). All of the measurements were performed in a 0.5 M aqueous solution of H2SO4 purged with N2 gas. M0S2/CFP, C6o/CFP, and the hybrid structures prepared on CFP were individually used as the working electrodes. A saturated calomel electrode (SCE) and a Pt plate were used as reference and counter electrodes, respectively. The potential versus SCE (ESCE) was converted to the potential versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) (ERHE) using the relation ERHE = ESCE + 0.279 V. Polarization curves for HER were measured using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) in the
range between 0.1 and -0.4 V versus RHE at a scan rate of 8 mV/s. The polarization curves were corrected for the ohmic potential drop (iR) losses, where R is the series resistance of the electrochemical cell as determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. EIS measurements were performed in the range between 200 kHz and 50 mHz using an AC amplitude of 25 mV. The EIS measurements for obtaining the charge- transfer resistance (Rct) values were performed at various potentials between 10 and -250 mV by sweeping the frequency from 200 kHz to 100 mHz using an AC amplitude of 10 mV. In order to estimate the electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) of the samples, the double-layer capacitance (Cdi) of the samples was determined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in the potential range of 0.10— 0.30 V versus RHE at scan rates between 20— 100 mV/s.
It is to be understood that the electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the generic language of the following claims enabled by the embodiments described herein, or otherwise shown in the drawings or described above in terms sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction.
Claims
1. An electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction, comprising:
a carbon fiber paper substrate; and
a plurality of nanosheets of M0S2 on the carbon fiber substrate, the
nanosheets having a plurality of catalytically active edge sites along basal planes thereof.
2. The electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction according to claim 1, wherein the basal planes comprise faceted edges.
3. The electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction according to claim 2, wherein the basal planes comprise collapsed edges.
4. The electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction according to claim 1, wherein the nanosheets further comprise spherical fullerene nanoclusters.
5. The electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction according to claim 4, wherein the spherical fullerene nanoclusters are about 7 μηι in diameter.
6. The electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction according to claim 5, wherein the spherical fullerene nanoclusters cover about 2% of the total surface area of carbon fibers of the carbon fiber paper substrate.
7. The electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction according to claim 1, wherein the nanosheets are dispersed across an area of about 2 cm2 of the carbon fiber paper substrate.
8. A method of making an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction, comprising the steps of:
depositing nanosheets of M0O3 onto a carbon fiber paper by chemical vapor deposition;
reducing the nanosheets of M0O3 to nanosheets of M0O2 by reaction with sublimed sulfur; and
sulfiding the nanosheets of M0O2 to form nanosheets of M0S2 integrated with the carbon fiber paper substrate, the nanosheets of M0S2 integrated with the carbon fiber paper substrate providing the electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction.
9. The method of making an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction according to claim 8, wherein the nanosheets of M0O3 deposited onto the carbon fiber paper are about 1-2 μιη in lateral dimensions.
10. The method of making an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction according to claim 8, wherein the reaction with sublimed sulfur occurs at a temperature of about 400°C.
11. The method of making an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction according to claim 8, wherein the sulfiding of the nanosheets of M0O2 occurs at a temperature of about 850°C.
12. The method of making an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction according to claim 8, wherein the nanosheets of M0S2 comprise a plurality of catalytically active edge sites along basal planes thereof.
13. The method of making an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction according to claim 8, further comprising: immersing the nanosheets of M0S2 integrated with the carbon fiber paper substrate in a solution of spherical fullerenes (nC6o); and annealing the nanosheets of M0S2 integrated with the carbon fiber paper substrate after immersion in the fullerenes.
14. An electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction prepared according to the method of claim 8.
15. A method of making an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction, comprising the steps of:
depositing nanosheets of M0O3 onto carbon fiber paper by chemical vapor deposition; reducing the nanosheets of M0O3 to nanosheets of M0O2 by reaction with sublimed sulfur;
sulfiding the nanosheets of M0O2 to form nanosheets of M0S2 integrated with the carbon fiber paper substrate, the nanosheets of M0S2 integrated with the carbon fiber paper substrate providing the electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction; immersing the nanosheets of M0S2 integrated with the carbon fiber paper substrate in a solution of spherical fullerenes (nC6o); and
annealing the nanosheets of M0S2 integrated with the carbon fiber paper substrate after immersion in the fullerenes.
16. The method of making an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction, according to claim 15, wherein the nanosheets of M0O3 deposited onto the carbon fiber paper are about 1-2 μιη in lateral dimensions.
17. The method of making an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction, according to claim 15, wherein the reaction with sublimed sulfur occurs at a temperature of about 400°C.
18. The method of making an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction according to claim 15, wherein the sulfiding of the nanosheets of M0O2 occurs at a temperature of about 850°C.
19. The method of making an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction according to claim 15, wherein the nanosheets of M0S2 comprise a plurality of catalytically active edge sites along basal planes thereof.
20. An electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction prepared according to the method of claim 15.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA3055828A CA3055828A1 (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2018-03-08 | Electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction |
DE112018001227.1T DE112018001227T5 (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2018-03-08 | Electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction |
US16/492,600 US20200048783A1 (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2018-03-08 | Electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201762469500P | 2017-03-09 | 2017-03-09 | |
US62/469,500 | 2017-03-09 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2018165449A1 true WO2018165449A1 (en) | 2018-09-13 |
Family
ID=63447952
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2018/021580 WO2018165449A1 (en) | 2017-03-09 | 2018-03-08 | Electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20200048783A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3055828A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE112018001227T5 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018165449A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN110473711A (en) * | 2019-07-12 | 2019-11-19 | 杭州电子科技大学 | A kind of preparation method of electrode material for super capacitor |
CN110586137A (en) * | 2019-09-24 | 2019-12-20 | 河南师范大学 | Containing Mn0.5Cd0.5Preparation method of S and Au supported photocatalyst |
CN111514907A (en) * | 2020-04-27 | 2020-08-11 | 山东大学 | Electrocatalyst with biomass-based carbon as structural support and preparation method and application thereof |
CN113718287A (en) * | 2021-08-20 | 2021-11-30 | 河北科技大学 | Coupled cage C60 for electrochemical hydrogen evolution, molybdenum disulfide composite material and preparation method thereof |
WO2021249636A1 (en) | 2020-06-10 | 2021-12-16 | Max Planck Gesellschaft Zur Förderung Der Wissenschaften eV | Selection of a heterogeneous catalysts with metallic surface states |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN114345373A (en) * | 2020-09-27 | 2022-04-15 | 武汉理工大学 | Preparation method of oxygen-doped molybdenum disulfide nanosheet hydrogen evolution electrocatalyst rich in defects |
CN114405521B (en) * | 2020-10-12 | 2023-10-24 | 武汉理工大学 | Preparation method of zinc-doped molybdenum disulfide nanosheet hydrogen evolution electrocatalyst with abundant defects |
CN112899720B (en) * | 2021-01-15 | 2022-02-15 | 华中科技大学 | Mo/MoO with ampere-level current density hydrogen evolution performance2Preparation of in-plane heterojunctions |
CN113430560B (en) * | 2021-07-09 | 2022-11-15 | 北京化工大学 | Bimetal monatomic loaded MoS 2 Carbon paper base material and preparation method and application thereof |
CN113925059A (en) * | 2021-11-23 | 2022-01-14 | 安徽大学 | Molybdenum disulfide/fullerene semiconductor composite photocatalytic bactericide and preparation method thereof |
-
2018
- 2018-03-08 DE DE112018001227.1T patent/DE112018001227T5/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2018-03-08 WO PCT/US2018/021580 patent/WO2018165449A1/en active Application Filing
- 2018-03-08 US US16/492,600 patent/US20200048783A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2018-03-08 CA CA3055828A patent/CA3055828A1/en not_active Abandoned
Non-Patent Citations (5)
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN110473711A (en) * | 2019-07-12 | 2019-11-19 | 杭州电子科技大学 | A kind of preparation method of electrode material for super capacitor |
CN110473711B (en) * | 2019-07-12 | 2022-01-11 | 杭州电子科技大学 | Preparation method of supercapacitor electrode material |
CN110586137A (en) * | 2019-09-24 | 2019-12-20 | 河南师范大学 | Containing Mn0.5Cd0.5Preparation method of S and Au supported photocatalyst |
CN110586137B (en) * | 2019-09-24 | 2022-04-01 | 河南师范大学 | Containing Mn0.5Cd0.5Preparation method of S and Au supported photocatalyst |
CN111514907A (en) * | 2020-04-27 | 2020-08-11 | 山东大学 | Electrocatalyst with biomass-based carbon as structural support and preparation method and application thereof |
CN111514907B (en) * | 2020-04-27 | 2021-06-22 | 山东大学 | Electrocatalyst with biomass-based carbon as structural support and preparation method and application thereof |
WO2021249636A1 (en) | 2020-06-10 | 2021-12-16 | Max Planck Gesellschaft Zur Förderung Der Wissenschaften eV | Selection of a heterogeneous catalysts with metallic surface states |
CN113718287A (en) * | 2021-08-20 | 2021-11-30 | 河北科技大学 | Coupled cage C60 for electrochemical hydrogen evolution, molybdenum disulfide composite material and preparation method thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA3055828A1 (en) | 2018-09-13 |
DE112018001227T5 (en) | 2019-12-05 |
US20200048783A1 (en) | 2020-02-13 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20200048783A1 (en) | Electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction | |
Sun et al. | Mace-like hierarchical MoS2/NiCo2S4 composites supported by carbon fiber paper: An efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction | |
Wang et al. | N, P (S) Co-doped Mo2C/C hybrid electrocatalysts for improved hydrogen generation | |
Datta et al. | Highly active two dimensional α-MoO 3− x for the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction | |
Ren et al. | Ultrafine Pt nanoparticles decorated MoS2 nanosheets with significantly improved hydrogen evolution activity | |
Cao et al. | Highly conductive carbon black supported amorphous molybdenum disulfide for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction | |
Wang et al. | MoS2 supported CoS2 on carbon cloth as a high-performance electrode for hydrogen evolution reaction | |
Ou et al. | Bimetallic Co 2 Mo 3 O 8 suboxides coupled with conductive cobalt nanowires for efficient and durable hydrogen evolution in alkaline electrolyte | |
Qu et al. | Rational design of phosphorus-doped cobalt sulfides electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution | |
Choi et al. | An in Situ Sulfidation Approach for the Integration of MoS2 Nanosheets on Carbon Fiber Paper and the Modulation of Its Electrocatalytic Activity by Interfacing with n C60 | |
Shen et al. | Hierarchically phosphorus doped bimetallic nitrides arrays with unique interfaces for efficient water splitting | |
Jia et al. | Interfacial engineering of Mo 2 C–Mo 3 C 2 heteronanowires for high performance hydrogen evolution reactions | |
Ren et al. | Improvement of HER activity for MoS 2: insight into the effect and mechanism of phosphorus post-doping | |
Dey et al. | Layered vanadium oxide nanofibers as impressive electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic medium | |
Long et al. | MoS 2 nanosheets grown on nickel chalcogenides: Controllable synthesis and electrocatalytic origins for the hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline solution | |
Biswas et al. | Alteration of electronic band structure via a metal–semiconductor interfacial effect enables high faradaic efficiency for electrochemical nitrogen fixation | |
Liu et al. | Epitaxial MoS2 nanosheets on nitrogen doped graphite foam as a 3D electrode for highly efficient electrochemical hydrogen evolution | |
Du et al. | Reduced-graphene-oxide-loaded MoS2‡ Ni3S2 nanorod arrays on Ni foam as an efficient and stable electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction | |
US20220042186A1 (en) | Nanocomposite materials and methods for producing and using nanocomposite materials | |
He et al. | “Bulk” 1T/2H-MoS2 with tunable phases and residual S, N co-doped carbon as a highly active and durable catalyst for hydrogen evolution | |
Li et al. | Direct growth of vertically aligned ReSe2 nanosheets on conductive electrode for electro-catalytic hydrogen production | |
Yang et al. | Self-supported NiO/CuO electrodes to boost urea oxidation in direct urea fuel cells | |
Fan et al. | Graphene/graphene nanoribbon aerogels decorated with S-doped MoSe 2 nanosheets as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution | |
Fu et al. | Boosting hydrogen evolution reaction activities of three-dimensional flower-like tungsten carbonitride via anion regulation | |
Zhou et al. | Co-doped 1T′/T phase dominated MoS1+ XSe1+ Y alloy nanosheets as bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 18763387 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 3055828 Country of ref document: CA |
|
32PN | Ep: public notification in the ep bulletin as address of the adressee cannot be established |
Free format text: NOTING OF LOSS OF RIGHTS PURSUANT TO RULE 112(1) EPC (EPO FORM 1205A DATED 23.01.2020) |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase |
Ref document number: 18763387 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |