Willow Catkin-like Co4S3–WS2 Nanostructured Electrocatalyst for Efficient Overall Alkaline Water Splitting

Abstract

Exploring catalysts with high catalytic activity, abundant reserves, and low cost is of great significance for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Polyoxometalates (POMs) have attracted extensive attention in recent years due to their rich structure and unique electrocatalytic properties. In this study, a nanostructured Co₄S₃–WS₂ electrocatalyst was synthesized through a hydrothermal reaction using thiourea and polyoxometalate (Co₅W₁₉) as precursors. The synergistic effect between the prepared bimetallic cobalt tungsten sulfide nanomaterial (Co₄S₃–WS₂) promoted electron transfer and improved electrocatalytic performance exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity with lower overpotentials for hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions (OER) at 10 mA cm^–2, namely, 133 mV and 297 mV, respectively, with Tafel slopes of 114 mV dec^–1 and 55 mV dec^–1. Additionally, the material demonstrated long-term stability during continuous electrocatalysis. The in situ growth of the Co₄S₃–WS₂ nanomaterial on carbon cloth via hydrothermal synthesis using the POM precursor provides guidance and inspiration for designing efficient HER electrocatalysts.