Zn Doped FeCo Layered Double Hydroxide Nanoneedle Arrays with Partial Amorphous Phase for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Exploiting earth-abundant electrocatalysts with comparable high performance and stability to the benchmarking noble metal-based catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of fundamental importance for promising sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies. Herein, we report an in situ grown zinc doped cobalt–iron layered double hydroxide (ZnFeCo LDH) with a unique needle-like nanostructure and partial amorphous phase for highly efficient OER catalysts. Benefitting from the nanoneedle arrays structure, partial amorphous phase, tunable zinc doping, and surface trivalent cobalt ions, partly amorphous Zn doped FeCo LDH 1D nanoneedle arrays (PA-ZnFeCo LDH) exhibited superior electrocatalytic OER activity, with a small Tafel slope of 58.73 mV per decade, an exceptional overpotential of 221, 276, and 294 mV to drive 10, 100, and 300 mA cm–2, respectively, and long-term electrochemical stability of 100 000 s. This work offers insights into the rational design and synthesis of unique 1D non-noble metal hydroxide with partial amorphous phase as highly efficient OER electrocatalysis.

Well‐Monodispersed Iron‐Doped InOOH Nanoparticles with Enhanced Activity for Oxygen Evolution

“…The XPS peaks of In (Figure b) are observed at 444.5 eV (3d 5/2 ) and 452 eV (3d 3/2 ), corresponding to oxidation states of In 3+ , which is consistent with the previous study . The Fe 2p spectrum in Figure c exhibits two main peaks for Fe 2p 3/2 and Fe 2p 1/2 at a BE of around 711.6 eV and 725.1 eV, indicating the presence of Fe 3+ . Figure d is the O 1s high‐resolution XPS spectrum, which exhibits three peaks at a BE of 530.0 eV, 531 eV, and 532 eV, corresponding to metal oxygen bond, −OH and adsorbed molecular water, respectively .…”

“…[16] The Fe 2p spectrum in Figure 2c exhibits two main peaks for Fe 2p 3/2 and Fe 2p 1/2 at a BE of around 711.6 eV and 725.1 eV, indicating the presence of Fe 3 + . [37][38][39] Figure 2d is the O 1s high-resolution XPS spectrum, which exhibits three peaks at a BE of 530.0 eV, 531 eV, and 532 eV, corresponding to metal oxygen bond, À OH and adsorbed molecular water, respectively. [40][41][42] The above analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of Fe-InOOH NPs.…”

Phosphorus‐Based Electrocatalysts: Black Phosphorus, Metal Phosphides, and Phosphates

“…Therefore, developing highly active, low cost, and sustained catalysts for these key electrocatalytic processes is paramount and apparently rewarding for the sustainable and large‐scale implementation of clean energy devices. [ 6 ] To reduce, and hopefully to eliminate the usage of these precious metal‐based catalysts, there have been intensive researches, in order to develop the practically and economically viable alternative electrocatalysts. [ 7 ] In this connection, phosphorus (P) is one of the most earth‐abundant elements, thereby P‐based materials have been considered being employed for electrocatalysis.…”

Phosphorus‐Doped CuCo2O4 Oxide with Partial Amorphous Phase as a Robust Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

“…[32] Many dangling bonds in the amorphous phase increase the surface energy, which is generally beneficial for the adsorption of the reaction intermediate. [33] The presence of a large proportion of the coordination with unsaturated atoms in the amorphous phase can introduce a large number of defects that can provide active sites for catalysis, [34] thus improving the reaction kinetics of catalysts. However, pure amorphous catalysts increase the space resistance of the electron transport due to dangling bonds, and their conductivity is worse than that of corresponding crystalline catalysts.…”