Zn_xCo_1–xMoS₃ Microboxes from Metal–Organic Frameworks as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

The increasingly exhausted fossil energy reserve and the current serious ecological problems make people pay more attention to renewable clean energy sources such as hydrogen. Highly active, low-cost, and stable electrocatalysts are crucial for producing hydrogen through water electrolysis, and the development of them is an appealing but challenging task. Herein, MOFs-derived ZnxCo1–xMoS3 microboxes were successfully fabricated by a facile and general method. Water-soluble [(CH3)2NH2][M(HCOO)3] precursors reacted with a (NH4)2MoS4 water solution quickly to generate insoluble precipitates and, through subsequent annealing treatment, finally generated ZnxCo1–xMoS3 microboxes. Benefiting from the synergism of Zn–Co–Mo–S, the hollow cubic structure, and the incorporation of Zn and Co atoms, the Zn1/3Co2/3MoS3 exhibits superior HER performance in acidic media, with a low overpotential of 160 mV and a small Tafel slope of 85 mV dec–1, as well as excellent durability. This general strategy can also be applied to fabricate other hollow molybdenum-based sulfides and MOFs-derived materials.