Facial synthesis of FeS2@Carbon nanotube composite as an efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract

Iron disulfide (FeS2) has attracted extensive research interest due to its excellent catalytic efficiency. In this work, FeS2 was composited with carbon matrix to prepare a highly efficient electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. Two uniformly composites, namely, FeS2 @carbon nanotube (FeS2@CNT) and FeS2@carbon particle (FeS2@CP), were successfully prepared by pyrolysis and sulfuration processes. The structures of the synthesized composites were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the catalytic performances of the composites were obviously improved compared to pure FeS2. Moreover, compared to FeS2@CP, the FeS2@CNT nanotubes achieved a much lower overpotential and a smaller Tafel slope. The enhanced HER kinetics and hydrogen generation rate of FeS2@CNT may be due to its more efficient charge transport, uniform distribution of active sites, and higher surface areas. This work provides a new clue for the preparation of FeS2-based composite for hydrogen evolution.