Serpentine Ni₃Ge₂O₅(OH)₄ Nanosheets Grow on Porous Mo₂N for an Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Transition-metal-based layered serpentine materials are promising as cheap and active electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, the serpentine materials have poor conductivity and chemical stability, which induce that the activity and stability of these materials are not favorable. Herein, Ni3Ge2O5(OH)4 nanosheets are designed to grow on highly conductive porous Mo2N materials to form composite catalysts for the electrochemical OER. The fabrication of Mo2N/Ni3Ge2O5(OH)4 is achieved via facile hydrothermal methods, and a series of characterizations show that the Ni3Ge2O5(OH)4 nanosheets are anchored on porous Mo2N. The as-synthesized composite materials show a remarkably reduced OER overpotential and improved durability compared to pure Ni3Ge2O5(OH)4 in an alkaline electrolyte. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and in situ Fourier transform infrared spectra reveal that Mo2N can efficiently promote the charge transmission and act as a stable substrate to maintain the electrochemical activity. This study provides a facile strategy to design composite-layered serpentine catalysts for an efficient OER.

2022 Pioneers in Energy Research: Jinhua Ye

“…It is revealed that the mixed valence of co-catalysts is more favorable for photocatalytic water oxidation. Zhang’s group presented serpentine Ni 3 Ge 2 O 5 (OH) 4 nanosheets on porous Mo 2 N for an efficient oxygen evolution reaction . Zhang and his co-workers reported a defect management strategy on SrNbO 2 N through Zn modification for promoted photocatalytic water oxidation .…”

NiSe2 Nanoparticles Supported on Halloysite Sheets as an Efficient Electrocatalyst toward Alkaline Oxygen Evolution Reaction

“…It is well known that noble metal-based materials such as IrO 2 and RuO 2 are among the most active electrocatalysts for OER . However, high cost and scarcity are significant barriers to the large-scale application of noble metals for electrocatalytic water splitting. , Therefore, it is crucial to design and construct active and stable materials as an alternative to noble metal-based electrocatalysts. − …”