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Interfacial electronic engineering in an amorphous NiFe LDH/low-crystallinity CoPx heterostructure for efficient
Minghui Quan1, Yunxiang Liu1, Zufeng He1
1Department of Chemistry and Key Laboratory for Preparation and Application of Ordered Structural Materials of Guangdong Province, Shantou University, Guangdong, 515063, PR China. woldu@stu.edu.cn.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|May 1, 2026
Summary
A novel catalyst combining nickel-iron layered double hydroxide (NiFe LDH) and cobalt phosphide (CoPx) shows excellent performance for overall water splitting. This bifunctional catalyst achieves high efficiency and stability due to its unique p-n junction structure.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Catalysis
Background:
- Developing efficient electrocatalysts for overall water splitting is crucial for hydrogen production.
- Heterostructures offer synergistic effects for enhanced catalytic activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct and characterize a novel amorphous NiFe LDH/low-crystallinity CoPx heterostructure.
- To evaluate the bifunctional catalytic activity and stability for overall water splitting.
Main Methods:
- Two-step electrodeposition was employed to synthesize the NiFe LDH/CoPx heterostructure.
- Electrochemical techniques were used to assess catalytic performance and stability.
Main Results:
- The catalyst demonstrated outstanding bifunctional activity for overall water splitting.
- A low overpotential of 1.537 V was required to achieve 10 mA cm-2.
- Exceptional stability was observed, attributed to interfacial electronic engineering within the p-n junction.
Conclusions:
- The amorphous NiFe LDH/low-crystallinity CoPx heterostructure is a highly effective catalyst for overall water splitting.
- The p-n junction at the interface plays a key role in enhancing catalytic performance and stability.
