In-situ generated P-doped NiCo2O4 nanosheet arrays with rapid charge transfer for efficient oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline solution

Exploring highly efficient electrocatalysts (OER) is critical for oxygen evolution reaction. Herein, for the first time, P-doped NiCo2O4 nanosheet arrays generated on nickel foam (namely P-NiCo2O4/NF) were constructed via a feasible protocol. Notably, the etching treatment can open the internal structure of ZIF-67 to offer more electrocatalytically active surface area, and obtained NiCo2O4 showed great electrocatalytic performance in OER. The introduction of P can effectively reduce the charge transfer resistance of NiCo2O4 and boost OER kinetics. More importantly, doping P not only improved the hydrophilicity of NiCo2O4, but also reduced its surface potentials, which provided convenience for the adsorption of OH- over P-NiCo2O4/NF electrode. As expected, the P-NiCo2O4/NF electrode with good long-term durability displayed excellent performance for OER in alkaline solution, and an overpotential of 121.6 mV was achieved at a current density of 10 mA/cm2. To sum up, current work can provide a meaningful reference to prepare electrocatalyst for efficient OER.(c) 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, P-doped NiCo2O4 nanosheet arrays were successfully constructed and exhibited excellent electrocatalytic properties for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). By reducing the charge transfer resistance and improving the hydrophilicity of the nanosheets, more efficient OER performance was achieved.