MoS₂ coating on CoSx-embedded nitrogen-doped-carbon-nanosheets grown on carbon cloth for energy conversion

Designing low-cost and highly efficient electrocatalysts has become a critical aspect to achieve sustainable energy production. Herein, we report the preparation strategy of MoS₂ on Co-oxide nanoparticles embedded nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets (Co-NC) those derived by ZIF-L anchored on a carbon cloth as an electrode for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The hybrid electrode denoted as MoS₂/Co-NC/CC was synthesized in sequence of the growth of the leaf-like zeolitic imidazolate framework (Co-ZIF-L) on a carbon cloth (CC), the carbonization of the Co-ZIF-L and deposition of MoS₂ by metal organic chemical deposition (MOCVD). The hierarchical porous catalyst presented remarkable electrochemical activity towards the HER in acidic solution, exhibiting great stability and fast kinetics with a small Tafel slope of 51 mV dec⁻¹. Moreover, to produce a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² (η₁₀), MoS₂/Co-NC/CC required a low overpotential of 111 mV, which is comparable with Pt.