Rational Design and Engineering of Metal–Organic Framework-Derived Trimetallic NiCoFe-Layered Double Hydroxides as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Water Oxidation Reaction

Abstract

The development of active, noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with low cost and high earth abundance for energy-efficient electrolysis applications has been a challenging task. In this study, a two-step chemical process that involves co-precipitation followed by alkaline treatment is proposed to fabricate trimetallic NiCoFe-layered double hydroxide (t-NiCoFe-LDH) materials for OER using trimesic acid as a metal−organic framework (MOF) ligand. Owing to the unique aloe-vera-leaf-like morphology and high porosity of the prepared t-NiCoFe-LDH, it showed improved electrocatalysis for OER in an alkaline solution by providing hot spots and facilitating electrolyte penetration into the uniform channels, further increasing the contact area between the active material and electrolyte. Higher electrocatalytic activity was observed for t-NiCoFe-LDH in comparison with pristine MOF-derived catalysts and commercial RuO 2 and IrO 2 catalysts. A current density of 10 mA cm −2 was achieved with an overpotential of 277 mV and a Tafel slope of 68.83 mV dec −1 in 1.0 M KOH. Additionally, no surface leaching was observed after continuous electrolysis for 50 h. The findings of this study suggest a facile and easy approach to designing ternary MOF-derived LDH structures with different combinations and ratios of metals to develop multicomponent electrocatalytic systems.

Highly active NiFe LDH anchoring on cobalt carbonate hydroxide for efficient electrocatalytic 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation towards 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid

“…45 The energy gap of 14.1 eV between Co 2p 1/2 and Co2p 3/2 indicates the formation of the Co(OH) 2 phase, while the Co 3+ are ascribed to CoOOH species. 46,47 Moreover, the peaks at 786.8 eV and 801.6 eV are attributed to satellite features 2p 3/2 and 2p 1/2 , respectively. In the C 1s spectrum (Fig.…”

Trimetallic-organic framework/MXene composite as an oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalyst with elevated intrinsic activity

“…35 The inclusion of multi-metallic elements in catalysts boosts the availability of additional electrons from adjacent atoms while also increasing the number of active sites. [38][39][40][41][42][43] Li et al suggested that more exposed and accessible active sites in trimetallic MILs (MIL stands for Materials of Institute Lavoisier) result from multi-metallic centers, which demonstrated improved OER activity. 40 Niu et al created a hierarchical Ni-Co-Fe hydr(oxy)oxide@NiCo LDH yolkshelled structures beginning from MIL-88A as an effective OER electrocatalyst, and beneting from the structural advantages and synergistic effects of the Ni, Co, and Fe elements.…”

Analysis of the oxygen evolution activity of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) using machine learning guidance

“…Lou et al 9 prepared NiFe LDH with interconnected ultrathin layers (with a very low overpotential equal to 280 mV at 10 mA cm −2 ) using a self-templated method. Kim et al 10 prepared a metal–organic framework derived NiCoFe LDH using a two-step process (co-precipitation and alkaline treatment). The resulting composite was very stable and exhibited an overpotential of 277 mV at 10 mA cm −2 .…”