ZnCo2S4 nanosheet array anchored on nickel foam as electrocatalyst for electrochemical water splitting

Exploring transition metal-based, highly efficient and bifunctional catalysts for electrochemical water splitting remains a challenging task. Herein, ZnCo2S4 nanosheet array supported on nickel foam (ZnCo2S4/NF) is fabricated and demonstrated to be efficacious electrocatalyst for both oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reactions. The resulting catalyst affords overpotentials of only 278 mV to achieve 10 mA cm−2 towards oxygen evolution and 185 mV to reach 10 mA cm−2 towards hydrogen evolution with superior stability in alkaline solution. The assembled two-electrode water electrolyzer using ZnCo2S4/NF can reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2 by 1.66 V cell voltage. [Display omitted] •ZnCo2S4 nanoarray supported on nickel foam (ZnCo2S4/NF) is fabricated and acts as catalyst electrode for water splitting.•The as-prepared ZnCo2S4/NF exhibits remarkable OER and HER activities.•The two-electrode water electrolyzer based on ZnCo2S4/NF needs only 1.66 V to achieve 10 mA cm-2.•ZnCo2S4/NF shows superior electrochemical durability and long-term stability.