Insight into Fe Activating One-Dimensional α-Ni(OH)₂ Nanobelts for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Development of high-efficiency and inexpensive oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts is highly desirable for water electrolysis devices and rechargeable metal–air batteries. Herein, we report novel one-dimensional (1D) Fe-doped α-Ni­(OH)2 nanobelts as OER-active electrocatalysts. In-depth characterizations revealed that Fe atoms are incorporated into the lattice of Ni­(OH)2, resulting in the strong electron interaction with active Ni sites. Moreover, a contraction of Ni–O bond distance induced by Fe is revealed by operando X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy under OER working condition, which leads to a near-optimized adsorption of oxygen intermediates. Consequently, the Fe-doped α-Ni­(OH)2 nanobelts deliver significantly promoted OER activity in alkaline solutions with a low OER overpotential of 236 mV at 10 mA cm–2 along with good stability. This work provides a strategy for developing efficiently non-noble metal catalysts, gives insights to the Fe doping effect and the dynamic evolution of disturbed atomic and electronic structure of Ni active sites.

Defect-rich Fe-doped NiS/MoS2 heterostructured ultrathin nanosheets for efficient overall water splitting

“…32,33 Second, the electron interaction between Ni and Fe was proved to adjust the intermediate adsorption energy. 40 Finally, multivalence Ni and Fe ions could provide continuous and fast electron transfer paths. 35 However, when Fe doping amount keeps on increasing from 10% to 20%, the OER activity of 0.2 Fe-NiS/MoS 2 decreases.…”

Effect of β-MnO2 on Controlled Polymorphism of VO2(x) (x = A, B, M Polymorphs) Microstructures Anchored on Two-Dimensional Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheets for Overall Water Splitting

“…). , Among numerous vanadium oxides, VO 2 (A) is the most promising material for energy storage and conversion which is due to the highest oxidation state of vanadium, enabling to store more electrons with the highest stability toward H 2 and O 2 production. , Moreover, VO 2 (A) acts as a precursor material for the transformation of other VO 2 polymorphs. , Thus, the unceasing approach to produce H 2 and O 2 can possibly solve the problem of energy crisis. Moreover, recent studies showed that the electrocatalytic activities of any monometallic electrocatalyst can be improved by the incorporation of any secondary elements such as Mn, Co, Fe, and so on as alloys, core shells, and so on. − Many efforts have been made for the synthesis of bimetallic-based electrocatalysts for overall water splitting. , Accordingly, the overall electrocatalytic process could be enhanced with the presence of multiple valence ions in the electrocatalyst. , …”

NiSe and Fe-Based Layerd Double Hydroxide Nanosheet/Ni Foam Bifunctional Catalyst for Water Splitting

“…However, the OER performance of these catalysts is still unsatisfactory due to their poor stability in alkaline electrolytes, which hinder their applications for OWS. On the contrary, transition-metal oxides , and hydroxides, , especially Fe-based layered double hydroxides (LDHs), have been regarded as efficient catalysts for OER under an alkaline environment due to the strong synergistic effect attributed to the incorporation of Fe and tunable electronic, catalytic, and electrochemical properties. These aspectes can effectively promote the absorption and dissociation of hydroxyl species. , For example, Peng et al designed a cation-vacancy-decorated NiFe-LDH catalyst with high efficiency and stability in OER .…”