Engineering interfacial coupling between 3D net-like Ni3(VO4)2 ultrathin nanosheets and MoS2 on carbon fiber cloth for boostinghydrogen evolution reaction

Herein, we presented a simple two-step hydrothermal method to fabricate noble-metal-free 3D net-like Ni3(VO4)2 ultrathin nanosheets coupled with the MoS2@CFC interface. Benefiting from the reciprocally binding structure and interfacial coupling effects between Ni3(VO4)2 nanosheet and MoS2@CFC, the catalytically active area was expanded, and the intrinsic activity toward HER was significantly improved. [Display omitted] •Ni3(VO4)2 with 3D net-like structure was constructed on the MoS2 nanosheets.•The interface coupling structure was formed between MoS2 and Ni3(VO4)2.•This work provides new perspectives to construct efficient electrocatalysts. The use of cheap and efficient electrocatalyst for the production of hydrogen is the key to solving the current energy crisis. Herein, we used a two-step hydrothermal process to fabricate noble-metal-free 3D net-like Ni3(VO4)2 ultrathin nanosheets coupled with MoS2@CFC interface. Unlike the traditional two-dimensional composite materials, Ni3(VO4)2 ultrathin nanosheets intersect with MoS2 nanosheets grown on CFC in a 3D net-like structure (Ni3(VO4)2/MoS2@CFC). Due to the mutual combination of structures and the interfacial coupling cooperation effect between Ni3(VO4)2 nanosheet and MoS2@CFC, the catalytically active area was expanded, and the intrinsic activity toward HER was significantly improved. Ni3(VO4)2/MoS2@CFC showed high activity at the industrial temperature (75 °C), with an overpotential of 77 mV (10 mA/cm2) and a 65 mV/dec Tafel slope. This material showed good stability at 0.5 M H2SO4. This work provides a heterostructure scheme for the construction of a novel noble metal-free electrocatalyst to promote hydrogen evolution reaction.