MoSe2 nanosheet/MoO2 nanobelt/carbon nanotube membrane as flexible and multifunctional electrodes for full water splitting in acidic electrolyte

Abstract

Acid-stable and efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts have been widely reported. However, achieving full water splitting catalysis in acidic electrolytes is still an urgent task due to the lack of efficient, abundant and acid-stable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts. This rationally designed MoSe₂ nanosheet/MoO₂ nanobelt/carbon nanotube membrane (MoSe₂ NS/MoO₂ NB/CNT-M) is composed of highly conductive CNTs and hierarchical MoSe₂ nanosheets on MoO₂ nanobelts, and due to its flexible three-dimensional (3D) electrodes, possesses an open architecture for rapid ion/electron diffusion, maximising the exposure of its active sites. The MoSe₂ NS/MoO₂ NB/CNT-M achieved remarkable electrocatalytic performance for the HER, providing a geometrical current density of 1 mA cm⁻² at an onset potential of −23 mV vs. RHE, a small Tafel slope (69.4 mV dec⁻¹) and excellent long-cycle stability in 0.5 M H₂SO₄. More importantly, the obtained multifunctional electrodes delivered excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the OER under acidic conditions, with a very small onset potential (≈+1.43 V vs. RHE) and enhanced long-cycle durability. The two-electrode electrolyzer, composed of a MoSe₂ NS/MoO₂ NB/CNT-M both as an anode and a cathode, required a small voltage of 1.63 V to achieve 10 mA cm⁻² and improved electrocatalytic durability, which was better than that of an electrolyzer composed of RuO₂//20 wt% Pt/C. This work highlights the potential for active and abundant non-precious catalysts for full water splitting in acidic electrolytes.