Tunable Method for the Preparation of Layered Double Hydroxide Nanoparticles and Mesoporous Mixed Metal Oxide Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Preparation of high-performance and durable electrocatalystsforanion exchange membrane water electrolysis is a crucial step towardthe broad implementation of this technology. Here, we present an easilytunable, one-step hydrothermal method for the preparation of Ni-based(NiX, X = Co, Fe) layered double hydroxide nanoparticles (LDHNPs)for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), using tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane(Tris-NH2) for particle growth control. The LDHNPsare used as building blocks of mesoporous mixed metal oxides (MMOs)with a block copolymer template (Pluronic F127), followed by thermaltreatment at 250 degrees C. NiX MMOs have a significantly larger surfacearea compared to the analogous LDHNPs. NiX LDHNPs and MMOs exhibitexcellent performance and long-term cycling stability, making thempromising OER catalysts. Moreover, this versatile method can be easilytailored and scaled up for the preparation of platinum group metal-freeelectrocatalysts for other reactions of interest, which highlightsthe relevance of this work to the field of electrocatalysis.

Automated summary

In this study, a facile and tunable hydrothermal method was developed for the preparation of Ni-based layered double hydroxide nanoparticles (LDHNPs) as high-performance and durable catalysts for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis. The LDHNPs served as building blocks for mesoporous mixed metal oxides (MMOs) and showed excellent performance and long-term stability in the oxygen evolution reaction. This versatile method can also be extended to the preparation of platinum group metal-free electrocatalysts for other reactions.