Heterostructure engineering and ultralow Pt-loaded multicomponent nanocage for efficient electrocatalytic oxygen...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Efficient electrocatalysts are crucial for water splitting.
• Heterojunction engineering and electronic structure modification are key strategies for OER.
• Developing cost-effective and high-performance electrocatalysts remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate ultralow platinum-loaded NiCoFeP@NiCoFe-PBA hollow nanocages.
• To investigate the electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
• To understand the role of heterojunctions and electronic structure modification in enhancing OER performance.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of NiCoFeP@NiCoFe-PBA hollow nanocages with 1% ultralow Pt loading.
• Electrochemical characterization including overpotential and Tafel slope measurements.
• Experimental and theoretical studies to elucidate the mechanism of enhanced OER activity.

Main Results:

• The Pt-NiCoFeP@NiCoFe-PBA nanocages exhibited outstanding OER performance.
• Achieved a low overpotential of 255 mV at 10 mA cm⁻² and a Tafel slope of 57.2 mV dec⁻¹.
• The unique hollow structure, voids, and defects provided abundant active sites, while synergistic effects optimized intermediate binding.

Conclusions:

• The fabricated Pt-NiCoFeP@NiCoFe-PBA nanocages are highly efficient electrocatalysts for OER.
• Heterojunction engineering and electronic structure modification are effective strategies for improving water splitting.
• The study highlights the potential of noble metal incorporation and defect engineering in designing advanced electrocatalysts.