Highly Active 2D Layered MoS2-rGO Hybrids for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 7
• Main Authors: Kamila, Swagatika, Mohanty, Bishnupad, Samantara, Aneeya K., Guha, Puspendu, Ghosh, Arnab, Jena, Bijayalaxmi, Satyam, Parlapalli V., Mishra, B. K., Jena, Bikash Kumar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 21.08.2017
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08677-5

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.