MOFs-derived hybrid nanosheet arrays of nitrogen-rich CoS2 and nitrogen-doped carbon for efficient hydrogen evolution in both alkaline and acidic media

Rational design of highly active, economical and stable electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is still a great challenge for future applications. Herein, we use a 2D metal-organic framework array as the reactive template and precursor, to fabricate a hybrid nanosheet array of nitrogen-rich CoS2@nitrogen-doped carbon on Ti foil substrate (N-CoS2@NC/Ti) through a simple thermal treatment in the presence of thiourea. Owing to the prominent synergistic effect of the coupling between CoS2 and NC, a high content of Co-N-x species as well as unique nanoarray architectures, the as-synthesized N-CoS2@NC/Ti electrode exhibits remarkable activity and robust durability for HER under both acidic and alkaline conditions, which is obviously superior to the CoS2@NC/Ti. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.