Future generation power requirement triggers the increasing search for electrocatalysts towards oxygen reduction, which is the pivotal part to enhance the activity of metal-air batteries and fuel cells. The present article reports a novel 3 D composite structure weaving 1 D carbon nanotubes (CNT) and 2 D MoS2 nanosheets. The MoS2 -CNT composite exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline environment. Measurements show better methanol immunity and higher durability than Pt/C, which is considered the state-of-the-art catalyst for ORR. Experimental results suggest that the hybridization of 1 D functionalized multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs) and exfoliated 2 D MoS2 nanosheet results significant synergistic effect, which greatly promotes the ORR activity. This work presents a new avenue to rationally design a 3 D porous composite out of 1 D and 2 D interlaced components and demonstrate appreciable electrochemical performance of the materials towards ORR activity for fuel cells as well as metal-air batteries.
Keywords: 3D network structure; carbon nanotubes; electrocatalysis; molybdenum disulfide; oxygen reduction reaction.
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