MOF-derived synergistic Co9S8@C/Ag3VO4 nanohybrids for enhanced photo- and electrocatalytic hydrogen production

SR Gujjula and N Chanda and S Karingula and S Goskula and S Chirra and U Pal and V Narayanan, JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE, 60, 16240-16260 (2025).

DOI: 10.1007/s10853-025-11336-0

The synergy between metal sulphide and oxide materials represents a significant advancement in the development of efficient catalysts for stimulating photo- and electrocatalytic water splitting. In this report, a hierarchical hybrid Co9S8@C/Ag3VO4 (CSAV) heterostructured nanohydrid is engineered via ZIF-67 MOF by leveraging the unique electronic and optical properties of its constituent materials. The strategic integration of Co9S8 and Ag3VO4, combined with carbon as a conductive matrix, optimizes the material's catalytic performance, showcasing its potential as an adaptable and highly effective catalyst for hydrogen production applications. The CSAV2 catalyst exhibited a maximum apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 19.2 and the larger hydrogen production rate (1660 mu mol g-1 h-1) under optimized photocatalytic conditions, surpassing all other developed catalysts, and without the need for any cocatalysts. However, in the context of electrocatalysis, CSAV8 exhibited remarkable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity with a low overpotential (eta) of 0.674 V at a current density of 10 mA cm-2. This was further confirmed by its high electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) and a Tafel slope value of 168 mV dec-1. According to the noteworthy outcomes presented above, it can be inferred that the Co9S8@C/Ag3VO4 nanohydrid catalyst exhibits great potential and versatility as a nanocatalyst for diverse applications, including PEC, photo- and electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

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