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Engineering Bimetallic NiFe-Based Hydroxides/Selenides Heterostructure Nanosheet Arrays for Highly-Efficient Oxygen
Caichi Liu1, Yu Han1, Libing Yao2
1School of Material Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300130, P. R. China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|January 27, 2021
Summary
Developing advanced electrocatalysts for the alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is key for water splitting. This study engineered a novel NiFe-based heterostructure, significantly boosting OER efficiency and conductivity for better performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Cost-effective electrocatalysts are vital for efficient alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water splitting.
- Amorphous NiFe-based (oxy)hydroxides show promise for OER but suffer from poor electrical conductivity.
- Improving electrical conductivity is essential for enhancing OER catalytic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and construct a novel bimetallic NiFe-based heterostructure electrocatalyst.
- To enhance the electrical conductivity and OER activity of NiFe-based materials.
- To investigate the role of amorphous-crystalline interfaces in improving OER performance.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a heterostructure electrocatalyst comprising amorphous NiFe(OH)x and crystalline (Ni, Fe)Se2 nanosheet arrays.
- Electrochemical characterization of the catalyst's oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance in 1 M KOH.
- Experimental and theoretical analyses to elucidate the mechanism of enhanced OER activity.
Main Results:
- The engineered heterostructure catalyst demonstrated outstanding OER performance.
- Low overpotentials of 180 mV (10 mA cm-2), 220 mV (100 mA cm-2), and 230 mV (300 mA cm-2) were achieved.
- A low Tafel slope of 42 mV dec-1 indicated efficient OER kinetics.
Conclusions:
- The amorphous-crystalline NiFe-based heterostructure significantly improves electrical conductivity and OER activity.
- Electronic coupling at the heterostructure interface optimizes intermediate adsorption, enhancing catalytic performance.
- This work offers insights into designing advanced electrocatalysts for water splitting via heterostructure engineering.
