Porous nickel disulfide/reduced graphene oxide nanohybrids with improved electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution

• Porous NiS2 and NiS2/rGO were prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal process.
• The rich active sites of NiS2 from porous structures can promote the HER activity.
• Coupled with graphene, the HER activity of composites is further promoted.
• Negligible decay in activity is found after 3000 cycles for NiS2/rGO sample.

Single porous nickel disulfide (NiS2) nanoballs and nanohybrids of NiS2 with reduced graphene oxide (NiS2/rGO) were successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal process in the absence or presence of graphene oxide. NiS2/rGO nanocomposites exhibit remarkable electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution from water splitting due to the plentiful active sites in the porous NiS2, the improved conductivity and the positive synergetic effect between NiS2 and rGO. The nanocomposites displayed superior activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (10 mA cm− 2 vs. − 200 mV, Tafel slope of 52 mV dec− 1) and an excellent electrocatalytic stability.

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