LAUSR

Abstract In order to solve the problem of large overpotential in water electrolysis for hydrogen production, transition metal sulfides are promising bifunctional electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction/oxygen evolution reaction that can significantly reduce overpotential. In this work, Ni3S2 and amorphous MoSx nanorods directly grown on Ni foam (Ni3S2-MoSx/NF) were prepared via one-step solvothermal process, which were used as a high-efficient electrocatalyst for overall water splitting. The Ni3S2-MoSx/NF composite exhibits very low overpotentials of 65 and 312 mV to reach 10 mA cm−2 and 50 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH for HER and OER, respectively. Besides, it exhibits a low Tafel slope (81 mV dec−1 for HER, 103 mV dec−1 for OER), high exchange current density (1.51 mA cm−2 for HER, 0.26 mA cm−2 for OER), and remarkable long-term cycle stability. This work provides new perspective for further the development of highly effective non-noble-metal materials in the energy field.