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Investigation on the Growth Mechanism of Cu 2 MoS 4 Nanotube, Nanoplate and its use as a Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution in Water
Author(s) -
Le Ly T.,
Nguyen Thao T. T.,
Nguyen Trang T. T.,
Nguyen Mai T. T.,
Ung Thuy T. D.,
Tran Phong D.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemistry – an asian journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.18
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1861-471X
pISSN - 1861-4728
DOI - 10.1002/asia.202000344
Subject(s) - catalysis , nanotube , nanotechnology , materials science , mechanism (biology) , copper , chemical engineering , hydrogen , chemical physics , carbon nanotube , chemistry , metallurgy , engineering , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Cu 2 MoS 4 is a ternary transition‐metal sulfide that shows great potential in the field of energy conversion and storage, namely catalytic H 2 evolution in water and Li‐, Na‐ or Mg‐ion battery. In this work, we report on a growth mechanism of the single‐crystalline Cu 2 MoS 4 nanotube from (NH 4 ) 2 MoS 4 salt and Cu 2 O nanoparticle. By probing the nature and morphology of solid products generated in function of reaction conditions we find that the crystalline Cu(NH 4 )MoS 4 nanorod is first generated at ambient conditions. The nanorod is then converted into Cu 2 MoS 4 nanotube under hydrothermal treatment due to the Kirkendall effect or a selective etching of the Cu 2 MoS 4 core. Extending the hydrothermal treatment causes a collapse of nanotube generating Cu 2 MoS 4 nanoplate. The catalytic activities of these sulfides are investigated. The Cu 2 MoS 4 shows superior catalytic activity to that of Cu(NH 4 )MoS 4 . Catalytic performance of the former largely depends on its morphology. The nanoplate shows superior catalytic activity to the nanotube, thanks to its higher specific electrochemical surface area.