Rapid Microwave-Driven Sulfur Sublimation Synthesis of MS2/RuS2 (M = Fe, Co, Ni) for Efficient Alkaline Overall Water Splitting

Facing the complex application environment and overall inefficiency in the complete water-splitting process, the development of highly efficient and stable catalytic materials is urgently required. This study innovatively proposes and for the first time implements a rapid synthesis technique driven by microwave-induced sulfur sublimation, successfully preparing MS 2 /RuS 2 (M = Co, Fe, Ni) heterostructure interfaces with high structural stability and uniform active site distribution within merely 60 s. By incorporating iron-group sulfides, the electronic structure of pyrite-type RuS 2 is effectively modulated, enabling the developed MS 2 /RuS 2 @G catalyst to exhibit superior activity in alkaline environments. Particularly, the cobalt-based sulfide regulated pyrite-type RuS 2 (CoS 2 /RuS 2 @G) achieves a mass activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) that is 15.4 times that of 20 wt.% Pt/C, and in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), it surpasses commercial IrO 2 by two orders of magnitude. This research not only provides a new pathway for enhancing the performance and environmental adaptability of water-splitting catalysts but also presents a simple and universal method to boost catalytic activity through a synergistic modulation strategy.