The fundamental understanding of the surface reconstruction induced by the applied potential is of great significance for enhancing the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here,weshow that apreviously overlooked discharge current in the lowapplied potential region also leads to in situ electrochemical activation of an itrogen-doped nickel oxyhydroxide surface.W ee xploit the fact that doping of heteroatoms weakens the surface structure,a nd hence,aweak discharge current originating from the capacitive nature of nickel oxyhydroxide has astrong structure-reforming ability to promote the formation of nitrogen and oxygen vacancies.The current density at 1.4 V( vs.H g/HgO) can dramatically increase by as mucha s3 1.3 %a fter discharge in the low applied potential region. This work provides insight into in situ enhancement of the OER and suggests that the lowa pplied potential region must be aprimary consideration in evaluating the origin of the activity of electrocatalysts.
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