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Two-dimensional bifunctional electrocatalyst (Mo–NiFe-LDH) with multilevel structure for highly efficient overall water splitting

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Abstract

To effectively address energy challenges, it is crucial to explore efficient and stable bifunctional non-precious metal catalysts. In this study, a Mo-doped nickel–iron layered double hydroxide with flower-cluster architecture was successfully prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method, which demonstrated a good water splitting performance. After an appropriate amount of Mo doping, some lattice distortions in the material provided reactive sites for the adsorption and conversion of intermediates, thus optimising the charge distribution of the material. Moreover, the multidimensional void structures formed after doping had a larger specific surface area and accelerated the penetration of the electrolyte, which significantly improved the activity of the catalyst in alkaline media. At 10 mA·cm−2, the hydrogen and oxygen evolution overpotentials of Mo-doped nickel–iron double hydroxides (Mo–NiFe LDH/NF-0.2) were 167 and 220 mV, respectively, with an excellent durability up to 24 h. When the Mo–NiFe LDH/NF-0.2 catalyst was used as the cathode and anode of an electrolytic cell, the catalyst achieved a current density of 10 mA·cm−2 at an applied voltage of 1.643 V. This study provides a novel approach for designing excellent bifunctional electrocatalysts containing nonprecious metals.

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摘要

面对日益严重的能源问题，探索高效稳定的双功能非贵金属催化剂至关重要。本文采用一步水热法成功制备了钼掺杂的花簇状镍铁层状双氢氧化催化剂，并取得了良好的整体水分解效果。在适量掺杂钼后，材料中的一些晶格畸变为中间产物的吸附和转化提供了反应位点，从而优化了材料的电荷分布。此外，掺杂后形成的多维空隙结构具有更大的比表面积，加速了电解质的渗透，从而显著提高了催化剂在碱性介质中的催化活性。在 10 mA·cm-2 的电流密度下，Mo–NiFe LDH/NF-0.2 的析氢和析氧过电位分别为 167和 220 mV，并且具有长达 24 h 的优异耐久性。Mo–NiFe LDH/NF-0.2 催化剂作为电解池的阴极和阳极，只需提供 1.643V 的电压即可实现 10 mA·cm-2 的电流密度。这项研究为设计含有非贵金属的优良双功能电催化剂提供了新方案。

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Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 62001189 and 51802177), the Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. U22A20140), the Youth Innovation Group Plan of Shandong Province (No. 2022KJ095) and the Plan for the Introduction and Cultivation of Young Innovative Talent in the Colleges and Universities of Shandong Province, Supported by Guiding Fund of Zaozhuang Industrial Technology Research Institute of University of Jinan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physics and Technology, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250000, China

    Bao-Jie Zhang, Shi-Peng Qiu, Gang Zhao, Xiao Wang, Xi-Jin Xu, Lan Mu, Wen-Bo Liao & Xiao-Jing Dong

  2. KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Bin Chang

  3. School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China

    Gang Zhao

  4. School of Physics and Physical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273100, China

    Xiao-Jing Dong

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  1. Bao-Jie Zhang
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Zhang, BJ., Chang, B., Qiu, SP. et al. Two-dimensional bifunctional electrocatalyst (Mo–NiFe-LDH) with multilevel structure for highly efficient overall water splitting. Rare Met. 43, 2613–2622 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-023-02587-4

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