Mo-Doped Zn, Co Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-Derived Co₉S₈ Quantum Dots and MoS₂ Embedded in Three-Dimensional Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanoflake Arrays as an Efficient Trifunctional Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction, Oxygen Evolution Reaction, and Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Herein, we first propose a facile strategy to synthesize Co₉S₈ and MoS₂ nanocrystals embedded in porous carbon nanoflake arrays supported on carbon nanofibers (Co₉S₈-MoS₂/N-CNAs@CNFs) by the pyrolysis of Mo-doped Zn, Co zeolitic imidazolate framework grown on carbon nanofibers and subsequent sulfuration. The electrocatalyst shows high and stable electrocatalytic performance, with a half-wave potential of 0.82 V for oxygen reduction reaction and an overpotential at 10 mA cm^-2 for oxygen evolution reaction (0.34 V) and hydrogen evolution reaction (0.163 V), which outperform the metal-organic framework-derived transition metal sulfide catalysts reported so far. Furthermore, the Co₉S₈-MoS₂@N-CNAs@CNFs are employed as an air cathode in a liquid-state and all-solid-state zinc-air battery, presenting high power densities of 222 and 96 mW cm^-2, respectively. Such excellent catalytic activities are mainly owing to the unique three-dimensional structure and chemical compositions, optimal electronic conductivity, adequate surface area, and the abundance of active sites. Thus, this work provides an important method for designing other metal-organic framework-derived three-dimensional structural sulfide quantum dot multifunctional electrocatalysts for wider application in highly efficient catalysis and energy storage.