Electrochemical Deposited Amorphous Bimetallic Nickle-Iron (Oxy)hydroxides Electrocatalysts for Highly Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction

The low-cost and high-performance electrocatalysts, especially metal (oxy)hydroxides, for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have attracted considerable attention due to their promising OER activity. Amorphous electrocatalysts are often superior to their crystalline counterparts due to their more actives and structural flexibility. However, using traditional preparation techniques still presents a significant barrier. Herein, the amorphous NiFe (oxy)hydroxides on nickel foam (NF) with large surface area and small charge transfer resistance were fabricated by electrodeposition technique. The as-fabricated NiFe (oxy)hydroxides (Ni:Fe = 1:3) exhibited remarkable electrocatalytic activity and stability for OER with a low overpotential of 245 mV at a current density of 100 mA cm(-2), a small Tafel slope of 76.9 mV dec(-1), which was superior to that of noble metal electrocatalysts (RuO2) and most NiFe-based electrocatalysts. This work provides a facile and effective way to synthesis metal (oxy)hydroxide catalysts towards high-efficiency water splitting.

Automated summary

Low-cost and high-performance electrocatalysts, particularly metal (oxy)hydroxides, have gained significant attention for their promising oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity. Amorphous electrocatalysts exhibit superior activity and structural flexibility compared to crystalline counterparts, but traditional preparation techniques pose a barrier. In this study, amorphous NiFe (oxy)hydroxides on nickel foam with a large surface area and small charge transfer resistance were fabricated using an electrodeposition technique. The as-fabricated NiFe (oxy)hydroxides (Ni:Fe = 1:3) demonstrated remarkable electrocatalytic activity and stability for OER, outperforming noble metal electrocatalysts (RuO2) and most NiFe-based electrocatalysts with a low overpotential of 245 mV at a current density of 100 mA cm(-2) and a small Tafel slope of 76.9 mV dec(-1). This work provides a facile and effective method for synthesizing metal (oxy)hydroxide catalysts for high-efficiency water splitting.