Assembly of Copolymer and Metal−Organic Framework HKUST-1 to Form Cu<sub>2−x</sub>S/CNFs Intertwining Network for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

The construction of complex intertwined networks that provide fast transport pathways for ions/electrons is very important for electrochemical systems such as water splitting, but a challenge. Herein, a three dimensional (3-D) intertwined network of Cu<sub>2−x</sub>S/CNFs (x = 0 or 0.04)...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yuanjuan Bai, Yanran Li, Gonggang Liu, Jinbo Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
Series:Nanomaterials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/6/1505
Description
Summary:The construction of complex intertwined networks that provide fast transport pathways for ions/electrons is very important for electrochemical systems such as water splitting, but a challenge. Herein, a three dimensional (3-D) intertwined network of Cu<sub>2−x</sub>S/CNFs (x = 0 or 0.04) has been synthesized through the morphology-preserved thermal transformation of the intertwined PEG-<i>b</i>-P4VP/ HKUST-1 hybrid networks. The strong interaction between PEG chains and Cu<sup>2+</sup> is the key to the successful assembly of PEG-<i>b</i>-P4VP nanofibers and HKUST-1, which inhibits the HKUST-1 to form individual crystalline particles. The obtained Cu<sub>2−x</sub>S/CNFs composites possess several merits, such as highly exposed active sites, high-speed electronic transmission pathways, open pore structure, etc. Therefore, the 3-D intertwined hierarchical network of Cu<sub>2−x</sub>S/CNFs displays an excellent electrocatalytic activity for HER, with a low overpotential (η) of 276 mV to reach current densities of 10 mA cm<sup>−2</sup>, and a smaller Tafel slope of 59 mV dec<sup>−1</sup> in alkaline solution.
ISSN:2079-4991