NiFeCe nanosheet arrays by N and P doping as efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is commonly considered to be the major bottleneck in electrochemical water splitting. It is characterized by high overpotential requirements and so the fabrication of low-cost and high-performing OER catalysts is of great significance for the process of electrocatalytic water splitting. Here, the nanocomposite material (denoted as N-Ni_0.75Fe_0.15Ce_0.10P/NF) was obtained by simultaneously nitriding and phosphating the nanoneedle-like array (denoted as Ni_0.75Fe_0.15Ce_0.10O_x/NF) grown on a nickel foam (NF). N-Ni_0.75Fe_0.15Ce_0.10P/NF has an overpotential of only 244 mV at a current density of 50 mA cm^-2, and the Tafel slope is remarkably low at 73.8 mV dec^-1. The material can work stably at a current density of 50 mA cm^-2 for at least 48 h, indicating good stability. This investigation introduces innovative design methodologies for OER catalysts, offering significant contributions to sustainable energy research.