Sheet‐Isolated MoS2 Used for Dispersing Pt Nanoparticles and its Application in Methanol Fuel Cells

Abstract

AbstractIt is highly challenging to activate the basal plane and minimize the π−π stacking of MoS2 sheets, thus enhancing its catalytic performance. Here, we display an approach for making well‐dispersed MoS2. By using the N‐doped multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (NMWCNTs) as an isolation unit, the aggregation of MoS2 sheets was effectively reduced, favoring the dispersion of Pt nanoparticles (noted as Pt/NMWCNTs‐isolated‐MoS2). Excellent bifunctional catalytic performance for methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reaction (MOR/ORR) were demonstrated by the produced Pt/NMWCNTs‐isolated‐MoS2. In comparison to Pt nanoparticles supported on MoS2 (Pt/MoS2), the MOR activity (2314.14 mA mgpt−1) and stability (317.69 mA mgpt−1 after 2 h of operation) on Pt/NMWCNTs‐isolatedMoS2 were 24 and 232 times higher, respectively. As for ORR, Pt/NMWCNTs‐isolated‐MoS2 holds large half‐wave potential (0.88 V) and high stability (92.71 % after 22 h of operation). This work presents a tactic for activating the basal planes and reducing the π−π stacking of 2D materials to satisfy their applications in electrocatalysis. In addition, the proposed sheet‐isolation method can be used for fabricating other 2D materials to promote the dispersion of nanoparticles, which assist its application in other fields of energy as well as the environment.