Efficient Optimization of Electron/Oxygen Pathway by Constructing Ceria/Hydroxide Interface for Highly Active Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Owing to the unique electronic properties, rare‐earth modulations in noble‐metal electrocatalysts emerge as a critical strategy for a broad range of renewable energy solutions such as water‐splitting and metal–air batteries. Beyond the typical doping strategy that suffers from synthesis difficulties and concentration limitations, the innovative introduction of rare‐earth is highly desired. Herein, a novel synthesis strategy is presented by introducing CeO2 support for the nickel–iron–chromium hydroxide (NFC) to boost the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance, which achieves an ultralow overpotential at 10 mA cm−2 of 230.8 mV, the Tafel slope of 32.7 mV dec−1, as well as the excellent durability in alkaline solution. Density functional theory calculations prove the established d–f electronic ladders, by the interaction between NFC and CeO2, evidently boosts the high‐speed electron transfer. Meanwhile, the stable valence state in CeO2 preserves the high electronic reactivity for OER. This work demonstrates a promising approach in fabricating a nonprecious OER electrocatalyst with the facilitation of rare‐earth oxides to reach both excellent activity and high stability.

Recent Advances of CeO2‐Based Electrocatalysts for Oxygen and Hydrogen Evolution as well as Nitrogen Reduction

“…In addition to the above monometal hydroxides, Xia et al reported a highly efficient OER catalyst by the combination of cerium oxide support with nickel-iron-chromium hydroxide (NFC). [91] They used density functional theory to prove that the interaction between NFC and CeO 2 would produce d-f electronic ladder by subtle gaps between Ce-4f orbitals and 3d orbitals from Fe/Cr dopants (Figure 8a), which would significantly promote the electron transfer rate. Moreover, the theoretical calculation also shows that due to the introduction of cerium oxide, a more abundant electron distribution appears near E F , which serves as a springboard for greatly improving the electron transport efficiency.…”

“…In addition to the above mono‐metal hydroxides, Xia et al. reported a highly efficient OER catalyst by the combination of cerium oxide support with nickel‐iron‐chromium hydroxide (NFC) [91] . They used density functional theory to prove that the interaction between NFC and CeO 2 would produce d‐f electronic ladder by subtle gaps between Ce‐4f orbitals and 3d orbitals from Fe/Cr dopants (Figure 8a), which would significantly promote the electron transfer rate.…”

Review on Synthesis and Catalytic Coupling Mechanism of Highly Active Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting

“…In addition, Xia et al [ 40 ] first used Cu foam as a carrier through electrochemical deposition method and then obtained a pea‐like Cu@CeO 2 nanotube (NT) array by ion exchange with Ce 3+ . After that, the obtained Cu@CeO 2– x is decomposed under a reducing atmosphere.…”

A Review on Ceo2‐Based Electrocatalyst and Photocatalyst in Energy Conversion

“…In our previous works, we have successfully constructed the CeO 2 ‐based composite electrocatalysts for OER. [ 141 ] Within such an interfacial structure, CeO 2 supplies the abundant 4f orbitals in a wide range as the “electron transfer expressway” to facilitate the electron transfer based on the d–f couplings between CeO 2 and NiFeLDH. This electronic environment is highly beneficial for high‐speed charge transfer to promote the OER.…”