The Effect of MoSx Nanocoatings on the Water Electrolysis Performance Using a Nickel-Foam-Based Bifunctional Catalyst

The ability to increase the efficiency of electrochemical H-2 and O-2 evolution reactions in an alkaline solution using nickel-foam-based electrodes has been studied. To improve the catalytic properties of the foam, it was subjected to complex modification via sulfurizing in sulfur-containing gaseous media and the additional formation of amorphous or crystalline MoSx nanolayers. The foam was sulfidized in hydrogen sulfide or sulfur vapor at a temperature of 400 degrees C. Amorphous MoSx films were produced via pulsed laser deposition from a MoS2 target in an H2S atmosphere. To obtain nanocrystalline catalytic MoSx layers, thin-film Mo precursors were preliminarily applied to the foam pre-sulfurized in sulfur vapor at 400 degrees C. The deposition of precursors was carried out in vacuum at 22 degrees C. After deposition, the foam with precursors was oxidized in air at 600 degrees C. The modified samples were probed via scanning electron microscopy involving microanalysis and Raman spectroscopy. The effect of the precursor layer thickness on the sulfurizing efficiency and phase composition of the modified layers was established. The amorphous layer deposition was found to have a strong impact on only the O-2 evolution. The crystalline layers obtained via sulfidizing of Mo-containing precursors exerted influence on both the cathodic and anodic reactions. The hydrogen overvoltage at a current density of 10 mA/cm(2) was -160 mV, and the oxygen overvoltage was below 150 mV, which corresponded to the best electrocatalysts on the nickel foam after the volume modification via conventional chemical treatment (hydro- and solvothermal synthesis).