Hierarchical porous tri-metallic NiCoFe-Se/CFP derived from Ni-Co-Fe Prussian blue analogues as efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

The progress of inexpensive, high-efficiency, and steady oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is of great importance to promoting water splitting for green hydrogen production. Herein, tri-metallic NiCoFe selenide catalyst backed up by carbon fiber paper (CFP) was synthesized by a facile selenization of NiCoFe Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) for OER in alkaline solutions. The NiCoFe-Se/CFP inherited the porous nanostructure of the metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) precursors prepared by rapid cyclic voltammetry electrodeposition. Benefiting from the 3D hierarchical porous structure, optimized elec-tronic structure of NiCoFe selenides and high conductivity, the synthesized electrocatalyst exhibits out-standing catalytic activity to the corresponding mono-metallic or bi-metallic selenides. Specifically, the NiCoFe-Se/CFP electrode demands an overpotential of 221 mV to attain the 10 mA cm-2 current density in 1.0 M KOH solution and a low Tafel slope of 38.6 mV dec-1. The prepared catalyst also displays good stability and durability. These findings prove a feasible strategy to further improve the catalytic activities of non-precious metal based OER electrocatalysts by the cooperation of structure design and chemical component modification. (c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study successfully synthesized a tri-metallic NiCoFe selenide catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline solutions. The catalyst demonstrates high catalytic activity with low overpotential and Tafel slope, and exhibits good stability and durability. It provides a feasible strategy to improve the catalytic activities of non-precious metal based OER electrocatalysts.