Abstract
In this work, Cu
2
WS
4
nanoparticles have been synthesized via a solvothermal decomposition approach using a heterobimetallic single source precursor, WCu
2
S
4
(PPh
3
)
3
. The single source precursor, WCu
2
S
4
(PPh
3
)
3
, has been characterized using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, while Cu
2
WS
4
nanoparticles have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) for which Rietveld refinement has been performed to authenticate the lattice structure of the decomposed product, Cu
2
WS
4
. Furthermore, FESEM and EDAX analyses have been performed to assess the morphology and composition of Cu
2
WS
4
. An electrochemical study in acidic as well as basic media suggested that Cu
2
WS
4
nanoparticles possess efficient bifunctional activity towards electrochemical hydrogen as well as oxygen evolution reactions. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) performed in 0.5 N H
2
SO
4
indicates an onset potential for the HER of 462 mV and a Tafel slope of 140 mV dec
−1
. While LSV performed in 0.1 M KOH indicates an onset potential for the OER of 190 mV and a Tafel Slope of 117 mV dec
−1
.