Nickel-vanadium monolayer double hydroxide for efficient electrochemical water oxidation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Sustainable solar fuels require efficient and affordable electrocatalysts for water oxidation.
• Developing catalysts that meet industrial demands for water splitting remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a novel monolayer of nickel-vanadium-layered double hydroxide as a highly active electrocatalyst for water oxidation.
• To investigate the performance and catalytic activity of this new material in alkaline media.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a monolayer nickel-vanadium-layered double hydroxide.
• Electrochemical testing for water oxidation, including current density measurements at a specific overpotential.
• Mechanistic studies to understand the source of catalytic activity.

Main Results:

• The nickel-vanadium-layered double hydroxide achieved a current density of 27 mA cm(-2) (57 mA cm(-2) after correction) at 350 mV overpotential.
• Performance is comparable to leading nickel-iron-layered double hydroxides in alkaline media.
• Mechanistic studies revealed enhanced conductivity, facile electron transfer, and abundant active sites contributing to high activity.

Conclusions:

• Nickel-vanadium-layered double hydroxides offer high intrinsic catalytic activity for water oxidation.
• This development expands the range of cost-effective electrocatalysts for water splitting applications.
• The findings support the advancement of sustainable energy technologies.