Transition metal oxides (TMOs) nanosheets comprised of earth abundant Fe, Co,and Ni elements have been designed. Remarkably, the tri-component NiCoFeOx/Nifoam (NF) electrode delivers a high current density of 100 mA cm−2at an over-potential of only ≈383 mV for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), with prolongedelectrochemical stability. The improved OER activity of NiCoFeOx/NF can beascribed to the simultaneous incorporation of Ni and Co into FeOx/NF, boostingthe intrinsic catalytic activities by altering the crystal and electronic structures.With electron redistribution happening in the tri-component NiCoFeOx/NF, theelectron transfer from Co to Ni through the Fe acting as the electron transferbridge renders Co more acidic (Lewis acid) to activate H2O (Lewis base) moleculesthrough Lewis acid-base interaction. By identifying the interactions of Fe, Co, andNi and electron redistribution in the tri-component TMOs, this study providesnew insights into the crystal and electronic structure evolution of tri-componentNiCoFeOxcatalysts for active electrocatalysis.
Identifying the crystal and electronic structure evolution in tri-component transition metal oxide nanosheets for efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution.pdf
