Cr(OH)₃nanosheets@ZIF67 electrocatalysts prepared by electrodeposition method for efficient oxygen evolution reaction

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Developing efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts is crucial for energy conversion technologies.
• Non-precious transition metal compounds and metal-organic frameworks are promising candidates for catalysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and evaluate a novel Cr(OH)3NSs@ZIF67 electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
• To investigate the electrocatalytic performance, stability, and underlying mechanisms of the composite catalyst.

Main Methods:

• Electrochemical deposition of Cr(OH)3 nanosheets (NSs) onto ZIF67 grown on foam Ni.
• Electrochemical characterization including overpotential measurements, current density, stability tests, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Main Results:

• The Cr(OH)3NSs@ZIF67 electrocatalyst demonstrated excellent activity, requiring only 281 mV and 390 mV overpotentials for current densities of 10 and 50 mA cm-2, respectively.
• The composite electrode exhibited superior initial current density and exceptional stability over 60,000 seconds.
• The catalyst possessed the largest electrochemical active surface area and lowest charge-transfer resistance, attributed to M-O bonds and interface electronic structure modifications.

Conclusions:

• The Cr(OH)3NSs@ZIF67 composite electrocatalyst is highly efficient and stable for the oxygen evolution reaction.
• The synergistic effect between Cr(OH)3 nanosheets and ZIF67 enhances catalytic activity by increasing active sites and facilitating electron transfer.
• This work promotes the development of low-cost, non-noble metal composite electrocatalysts for energy chemistry applications.