Synthesis of CuxS/Ni-MOF/NF composite material for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

In this study, Cu_xS was successfully dispersed on the Ni-MOF/NF substrate via the potentiostatic electrodeposition method. The obtained composite material was characterised with X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The Cu_xS/Ni-MOF/NF composites were employed as catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline solutions. Compared with the single Cu_xS/NF and Ni-MOF/NF materials, the Cu_xS/Ni-MOF/NF composite exhibited significantly higher catalytic activity for HER. The influence of synthesis conditions of Cu_xS/Ni-MOF/NF on its catalytic activity was studied. Experimental results show that the Cu_xS/Ni-MOF/NF materials synthesised by potentiostatic electrodeposition at E (vs. Ag/AgCl) = –1 V for 30 min in 0.02 M CuSO₄ + 0.06 M thiourea solution demonstrated high catalytic activity for the HER with a low overpotential of 130 mV at 10 mA/cm² in an alkaline electrolyte. In addition, the Cu_xS/Ni-MOF/NF catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic durability and stability, as evidenced by its stable catalytic performance after 20 h of operation.