Highly Active 2D Layered MoS 2 -rGO Hybrids for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications

Abstract

Abstract The development of efficient materials for the generation and storage of renewable energy is now an urgent task for future energy demand. In this report, molybdenum disulphide hollow sphere (MoS 2 -HS) and its reduced graphene oxide hybrid (rGO/MoS 2 -S) have been synthesized and explored for energy generation and storage applications. The surface morphology, crystallinity and elemental composition of the as-synthesized materials have been thoroughly analysed. Inspired by the fascinating morphology of the MoS 2 -HS and rGO/MoS 2 -S materials, the electrochemical performance towards hydrogen evolution and supercapacitor has been demonstrated. The rGO/MoS 2 -S shows enhanced gravimetric capacitance values (318 ± 14 Fg −1 ) with higher specific energy/power outputs (44.1 ± 2.1 Whkg −1 and 159.16 ± 7.0 Wkg −1 ) and better cyclic performances (82 ± 0.95% even after 5000 cycles). Further, a prototype of the supercapacitor in a coin cell configuration has been fabricated and demonstrated towards powering a LED. The unique balance of exposed edge site and electrical conductivity of rGO/MoS 2 -S shows remarkably superior HER performances with lower onset over potential (0.16 ± 0.05 V), lower Tafel slope (75 ± 4 mVdec −1 ), higher exchange current density (0.072 ± 0.023 mAcm −2 ) and higher TOF (1.47 ± 0.085 s −1 ) values. The dual performance of the rGO/MoS 2 -S substantiates the promising application for hydrogen generation and supercapacitor application of interest.