In this study, AgCuZn sulfide is fabricated on the surface of AgCuZn alloys by hydrothermal sulfuration. This ternary metal sulfide is equipped with enhanced activity toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in an alkaline electrolyte. Through comparison of the alloys with diverse compositions, we find out the best electrochemical property of a particular alloy sulfide forming on a AgCuZn substrate (Ag:Cu:Zn=43:49:8). The alloy sulfide exhibits an onset overpotential (η) of 0.27 V with a Tafel slope of 95±2 mV dec(-1) and a current density of 130 mA cm(-2) at η of 0.57 V. Moreover, the obtained AgCuZn sulfide displays excellent stability, where the current density can increase to 130% of the initial value after a water electrolysis test for 100,000 s (27.7 h). Through investigating the electrode before and after the electrocatalysis, we find a remarkable activated process during which self-supported copper-silver oxide nanowire (CuO-Ag2O NW) arrays in situ form on the surface of the electrode. This work provides a feasible strategy for synthesis of high performance nonprecious metal electrocatalysts for water splitting.
Keywords: alloy sulfides; electrochemistry; in-situ generation; nanowire arrays; oxygen evolution reaction.