Metal-organic framework directly derived Cu/Cu2S@C for efficient hydrogen production

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based derivatives have been extensively used as electrocatalysts in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to the tunable structures, adjustable pore sizes and large specific surface areas. Hereto, a new Cu-MOF (MOF-517) constructed by sulfur-containing and flexible mixed ligands was prepared via hydrothermal synthesis method using Cu ions as the center. MOF-517 is then used as precursor material to obtain the hydrogen evolution electrocatalyst (Cu/Cu2S@C) through a one-step high-temperature calcination process. Cu/Cu2S@C shows favorable HER activity in both alkaline and acidic solutions, with lower overpotentials of 137 and 196 mV at current density up to 10 mA cm−2. Meanwhile, Cu/Cu2S@C shows excellent electrocatalytic stability for 24 h. This work provides a certain experimental contribution to the synthesis of copper-based MOF-derived sulfides for renewable and clean energy generation applications.