Molecular-Scale Manipulation of Layer Sequence in Heteroassembled Nanosheet Films toward Oxygen Evolution...

Flocculation or restacking of different kinds of two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets into heterostructure nanocomposites is of interest for the development of high-performance electrode materials and catalysts. However, lacking a molecular-scale control on the layer sequence hinders enhancement of electrochemical activity. Herein, we conducted electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly, employing oxide nanosheets (e.g., MnO₂, RuO_2.1, reduced graphene oxide (rGO)) and layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets (e.g., NiFe-based LDH) to explore a series of mono- and bilayer films with various combinations of nanosheets and sequences toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The highest OER activity was attained in bilayer films of electrically conductive RuO_2.1 nanosheets underlying catalytically active NiFe LDH nanosheets with mixed octahedral/tetrahedral coordination (NiFe LDH_Td/Oh). At an overpotential of 300 mV, the RuO_2.1/NiFe LDH_Td/Oh film exhibited an electrochemical surface area (ECSA) normalized current density of 2.51 mA cm^-2_ECSA and a mass activity of 3610 A g^-1, which was, respectively, 2 and 5 times higher than that of flocculated RuO_2.1/NiFe LDH_Td/Oh aggregates with a random appearance of a surface layer. First-principles density functional theory calculations and COMSOL Multiphysics simulations further revealed that the improved catalytic performance was ascribed to a substantial electronic coupling effect in the heterostructure, in which electrons are transferred from exposed NiFe LDH_Td/Oh nanosheets to underneath RuO_2.1. The study provides insight into the rational control and manipulation of redox-active surface layers and conductive underlying layers in heteroassembled nanosheet films at molecular-scale precision for efficient electrocatalysis.