MoS2–Carbon Nanotube Porous 3 D Network for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction

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 MoS<inf>2</inf> nanosheets. The MoS<inf>2</inf>–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 MoS<inf>2</inf> 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.