One-dimensional CO9S8-V3S4 heterojunctions as bifunctional electrocatalysts for highly efficient overall water splitting

Development of cost-effective, active and durable electrocatalysts for overall water splitting is still a huge challenge. Herein, we have constructed one-dimensional (1D) cobalt sulfide and vanadium sulfide heterojunction nanowires arranged on carbon cloth (Co9S8-V3S4/CC) as bifunctional electrocatalysts for the efficient overall water splitting. The 1D wire-structured Co9S8-V3S4 heterojunctions possess large surface area, plentiful active sites and rapid transport of electrons/reactants and the release of gas. Importantly, the electron transfer from Co9S8 to V3S4 occurs at the interface due to the strong electronic coupling effect in Co9S8-V3S4 heterojunction, in which the electron-attracting V3S4 (V2+) optimizes the adsorption of H* active species for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), while the electron-losing Co9S8 (Co3+) responds to the enhancement of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity. Co9S8-V3S4/CC exhibits low overpotentials of 85 and 232 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and small Tafel slopes of 51 and 59 mV dec−1 for HER and OER, respectively. Especially, the electrolyzer with Co9S8 V3S4/CC as both the anode and cathode requires low onset voltage of 1.35 V and cell voltage of 1.53 V at 10 mA cm−2 and exhibits high Faradaic efficiencies and robust stability. It can be driven by a solar cell (1.53 V) for continuous production of hydrogen and oxygen. This study highlights the design of 1D sulfide heterojunction in pursuit of highly efficient electrocatalysts for overall water splitting.