NiFe-Based Metal-Organic Framework Nanosheets Directly Supported on Nickel Foam Acting as Robust Electrodes for Electrochemical Oxygen Evolution Reaction

It is of great significance to develop highly efficient and superior stable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts for upcoming electrochemical conversion technologies and clean energy systems. Here, an assembled 3D electrode is synthesized by a one-step solvothermal process using such an original OER electrocatalyst. During the solvothermal process, Ni ions released from Ni foam in acidic solution and Fe ions added exogenously act as metal centers and coordinate with terephthalic acid (TPA) organic molecules by robust coordinate bonds, and finally, NiFe-based metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheets in situ grown on Ni foam, i.e., MIL-53(FeNi)/NF, are prepared. This binder-free 3D electrode shows superior OER activity with high current density (50 mA cm(-2)) at an overpotential of 233 mV, a Tafel slope of 31.3 mV dec(-1), and excellent stability in alkaline aqueous solution (1 m KOH). It is discovered that introduction of Fe into MIL-53 structure increases electrochemically-active areas as well as reaction sites, accelerated electron transport capability, and modulated electronic structure to enhance catalytic performance. Besides, first principles calculations show that MIL-53(FeNi) is more favorable for foreign atoms' adsorption and has increased 3d orbital electron density boosting intrinsic activity. This work elucidates a promising electrode for electrocatalysts and enriches direct application of MOF materials.