Constructing ultrathin FeS/FeO_xH@Fe nano-sheets for highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Catalysis

Background:

• The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial for energy conversion technologies.
• Developing earth-abundant, highly active, and durable OER catalysts remains a significant challenge.
• Existing catalysts often suffer from low efficiency and poor stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare efficient and stable electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction.
• To investigate the impact of amorphous/crystal interfaces on catalyst performance.
• To provide a controlled strategy for designing advanced OER catalysts.

Main Methods:

• A simple one-step co-deposition method was employed.
• FeS/FeOₓH@Fe nanosheets were synthesized.
• Electrocatalytic activity and durability were evaluated in 1.0 M KOH solution.

Main Results:

• The FeS/FeOₓH@Fe nanosheets demonstrated excellent OER performance with low overpotentials (245 mV at 10 mA cm⁻²).
• The catalyst exhibited high stability at demanding current densities (500 and 1000 mA cm⁻²).
• Constructing amorphous structures and amorphous/crystal interfaces improved FeOₓH conductivity and catalytic activity.

Conclusions:

• FeS/FeOₓH@Fe nanosheets are promising electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction.
• The interface structure between amorphous and crystalline phases is key to enhancing catalytic performance.
• This work offers an effective strategy for designing high-performance OER catalysts.