Integrated core-shell assembly of Ni3S2 nanowires and CoMoP nanosheets as highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting

A paradigm for the rational design of active, abundant, and inexpensive bifunctional electrocatalysts with acceptable electrochemical energy conversion rates has yet to be achieved. Here, we describe the assembly of a superior bifunctional electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activities based on a CoMoP/Ni3S2 multicomponent, heterointerface consisting of a freestanding electrocatalyst prepared by hydrothermal-phosphidation, consisting of one-dimensional Ni3S2 covered with Cereus cactus–like hierarchical CoMoP nanosheets. The resulting three dimensional CoMoP/Ni3S2 core-shell heterostructure exhibited remarkable HER and OER electrocatalysis, benefiting from modulated electronic structures, rapid mass diffusion, reduced charge-transfer resistance, and a larger electrochemically active surface area. Due to these superior functionalities, the CoMoP/Ni3S2 requires only 96.8 mV (at η10) for HER catalysis and 270 mV (at η50) for an OER process. Furthermore, a stable water-splitting device using CoMoP/Ni3S2 for both the anode and cathode required a low cell voltage of 1.54 V at 10 mA cm−2. This work represents a significant advance in interface construction of transition-metal phosphide/sulfide for long-term water splitting. [Display omitted] •A novel CoMoP/Ni3S2 core-shell nanowires successfully constructed.•The freestanding core-shell demonstrated amazing HER and OER activities.•CoMoP/Ni3S2 required 96.8 mV (at η10) for HER and 270 mV (at η50) for OER process.•The catalyst based electrolyzer requires only 1.54 V at 10 mA cm−2.