Integration of FeOOH and Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-Derived Nanoporous Carbon as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Water Oxidation

As a cost-effective catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the potential use of FeOOH is hindered by its intrinsic poor electron conductivity. Here, the significant enhancement of OER activity and long-term stability of electrodeposited FeOOH on zeolitic imidazolate framework-derived N-doped porous carbons (NPCs) are reported. In alkaline media, FeOOH/NPC supported on nickel foam as a 3D electrode delivers a current density of 100 mA cm(-2) at a small overpotential of 230 mV and exhibits a low Tafel slope of 33.8 mV dec(-1) as well as excellent durability, making it one of the most active OER catalysts. Such high performance is attributed to a combined effect of the excellent electron conductivity of NPC and the synergy between FeOOH and NiO derived from Ni substrate.