Monometallic,bimetallic, and trimetallic chalcogenide-based electrodes for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction

Cu₂CoSnS₄, Cu₂SnS₃, Cu₂CoS₄, Co₂SnS₃, Cu₂S, CoS₂, and SnS₂ were synthesized using a one-step solvent-free solid-phase approach. The surface structure, morphology, and composition were characterized using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The characterizations reveal pure phase formation and porous morphology. Further, the Hydrogen evolution reaction was performed using Cu₂CoSnS₄, Cu₂SnS₃, Cu₂CoS₄, Co₂SnS₃, Cu₂S, CoS₂, and SnS₂-based electrodes. Amid all electrocatalysts, Cu₂CoSnS₄ shows an excellent hydrogen evolution reaction with a low overpotential of ?192.1 mV at ?10 mA/cm² in 0.5 M H₂SO₄. And higher current density. Cu₂CoSnS₄ also shows a lower Tafel slope of 98.6 mV/dec and charge transfer resistance than mono and bimetallic chalcogenide-based electrodes. The Cu₂CoSnS₄ exhibit very good stability for ～22 h at ?10 mA/cm² current density in 0.5 M H₂SO₄.