Co3S4/NCNTs: A catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

• Co3S4/NCNTs was prepared through Co(OH)2/NCNTs, ion-exchange and partial oxidation.
• Co3S4/NCNTs show good dispersion and better OER activity than pure Co3S4 and NCNTs.
• Co3S4/NCNTs with TAA as sulfur source and 20 wt% loading shows optimum OER activity.

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) immobilized cobaltic sulfide (Co3S4/NCNTs) was prepared by the first formation of Co(OH)2/NCNTs and the subsequent anion-exchange of S2− with OH-, accompanied with the partial oxidation of Co2+. The morphology and microstructure of the prepared Co3S4/NCNTs nanocomposite were characterized by TEM, SEM, XRD and XPS. The electrochemical properties of Co3S4/NCNTs nanocomposite for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) were evaluated by polarization curves and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results show that Co3S4/NCNTs composite exhibits excellent performance for OER with potential of 0.65 V vs. SCE, corresponding to over-potential of 0.43 V at the current of 10 mA cm−2 in 0.1 M KOH electrolyte, being a promising OER electrocatalyst.

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