In situ coupling of MnS-MoS₂ bimetallic sulfide on nickel foam by [MnMo₉O₃₂]⁶⁻ platform for advanced hydrogen evolution

Electrocatalytic water splitting is one of the green and sustainable hydrogen energy methods. However, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) suffers from slow kinetics due to the high energy barrier of the H–O bond in a water molecule. The key to boosting HER is to add efficient electrocatalysts. In this paper, by a facile one-pot sulphuration method, the Waugh-type polyoxometalate ((NH₄)₆[MnMo₉O₃₂]) is firstly used as raw materials, and uniform bimetallic sulfides are in situ coupled on high conductivity nickel foam (NF) substrates to form a series of MnS-MoS₂-NF electrocatalysts. As a result, the catalysts possess ultrahigh catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline electrolyte, showing a low overpotential of 56 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻², which is close to that 35 mV dec⁻¹ of the 20% Pt/C electrode. Also, Meanwhile, 24 h I–T test and scanning electron microscopy observation were carried out before and after the experiment, which proved that the material has long-term stability. This work provides a feasible strategy for the rational design and preparation of highly efficient HER electrocatalysts.