MoS2∥CoP heterostructure loaded on N, P-doped carbon as an efficient trifunctional catalyst for oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, and hydrogen evolution reaction

Exploring multifunctional electrocatalysts is crucial for the development of energy conversion and storage equipments, such as fuel cells, water splitting devices and zinc-air batteries. Herein, we provide a rational design whereby the cobalt phosphide particles are introduced into molybdenum sulfide nanosheets to form a heterostructure (MoS2 parallel to CoP) through the ultrasonic method and calcination. Subsequently, N, P-doped carbon (NPC) is obtained synchronously. The as-prepared MoS2 parallel to CoP/NPC demonstrates highly effective multifunctional catalytic performance for oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reaction at lower overpotential, as well as oxygen reduction reaction at high half-wave potential. What this reveals is higher power density and superior stability in zinc-air battery. The excellent electrocatalytic activity of MoS2 parallel to CoP/NPC may be attributed to the presence of the MoS2 parallel to CoP heterostructure, as well as N, P-doped carbon coupled with a high percentage of pyridinic-N. This work proposes a novel and facile strategy to prepare the heterostructure compound and serves as a good reference for constructing efficient and low-cost electrocatalysts. (C) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.