One-step ionothermal accompanied thermolysis strategy for N-doped carbon quantum dots hybridized NiFe LDH ultrathin nanosheets for electrocatalytic water oxidation

Herein, we have developed a one-step ionothermal accompanied thermolysis strategy based on metal chloride deep eutectic solvent (DES) precursors to synthesize NiFe layered double-hydroxide ultrathin nanosheets hybridized with N-doped carbon quantum dots (NCD@NiFe-LDH). The NCD@NiFe-LDH hybrid shows hierarchical three-dimensional flower-like morphology assembled with similar to 1.4 nm ultrathin nanosheets possessing higher surface area values and well conductivity. The as-synthesized NCD@NiFe-LDH hybrid exhibits excellent performance for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and just require 363 mV to achieve a higher current density of 500 mA cm(-2) compared to the state-of-the-art IrO2 in 0.1M KOH. Besides, NCD@NiFe-LDH hybrid shows long-term stability and satisfactory durability even at 10 00 mA cm(-2). Such an excellent OER performance at high current density can be ascribed to the unique porous ultrathin structure with abundant active edges and sites and the synergistic effect of the NCD and NiFe-LDH. The work offers a new way for the design and synthesis of other carbon-hybridized LDH ultrathin nanosheets with unique electrochemical properties. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A one-step ionothermal accompanied thermolysis strategy was developed to synthesize NCD@NiFe-LDH hybrid material, which exhibited excellent OER performance and long-term stability. The unique structure and synergistic effect of NCD and NiFe-LDH contributed to its outstanding electrochemical properties.