CoS2 Hybridized Mo-Doped VS4 Core-Shell Three-Dimensional Nanoarrays for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Non-precious metal electrocatalysts can effectively reduce the hydrogen production industry's dependence on precious metal catalysts. This study reports a non-precious metal cobalt sulfide hybrid molybdenum-doped vanadium tetrasulfide (CoS₂@Mo-VS₄) core-shell nanorod catalyst for hydrogen evolution reactions, which demonstrates excellent catalytic performance in acidic electrolytes. The core-shell structured nanoarray, consisting of cobalt sulfide core and molybdenum-doped vanadium tetrasulfide shell, is fabricated on carbon cloth via a hydrothermal method. This design effectively prevents aggregation, and the significant spatial arrangement in the nanoarrays facilitates electrolyte ion transport and bubble release. The core-shell heterointerface provides a fast channel for electron transfer, reducing electron transport resistance. Strong interactions between different components in the core-shell structure enable the tuning of electronic structure, enhancing catalytic performance. Results show that CoS₂@Mo-VS₄@CC exhibits superior hydrogen evolution performance in 0.5 M H₂SO₄, requiring only 73 mV (114 mV) overpotential at current densities of 10 mA∙cm⁻² (50 mA∙cm⁻²). This provides a feasible strategy for designing efficient vanadium tetrasulfide electrocatalysts.KeywordsVS₄, CoS₂, core-shell structure, molybdenum doping, hydrogen evolution reaction