Enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of NiMoO4 through a post-phosphorization process for oxygen evolution reaction

The surface structures of the electrocatalyst have great influence on its catalytic activity. In this study, the surface structures of NiMoO4 particles were altered through a post-phosphorization treatment to enhance the electrocatalytic activity of NiMoO4 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). After the post-phosphorization treatment, an amorphous layer containing a large number of electrocatalytic active sites such as the phosphate, Ni-P bonds as well as the oxygen vacancies was formed on the surface of crystalline NiMoO4 particles. As a result, the electrocatalytic activity of the phosphorized NiMoO4 for OER was significantly improved.