In-situ decoration of NiCo-thiophene based metal-organic framework on nickel foam as an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2025-02, Vol.629, Article 235942
• Main Authors: Salman, Muhammad, Qin, Hanli, Zou, Yuming, Ji, Zhenyuan, Zhou, Hu, Shen, Xiaoping, Zhou, Hongbo, Zhu, Guoxing, Subramanian, Premlatha, Yuan, Aihua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrocatalysis; High current tolerance; Metal-organic framework; NiCo-Thiophene; Oxygen evolution reaction
• ISSN: 0378-7753
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2024.235942

Developing efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is highly demanded but still challenging due to sluggish reaction kinetics. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered potential electrocatalysts for efficient OER. Herein, NiCo-thiophene based metal-organic frameworks (NiCo-TDC-MOF) are in situ grown on nickel foam (NF) via a convenient hydrothermal approach. The as-prepared binder-free NiCo-TDC-MOF electrode exhibits exceptional OER performance with ultralow overpotentials of 194, 248, and 296 mV at current densities of 10, 100 and 200 mA cm−2, respectively. Notably, the electrode displays outstanding OER stability, operating steadily for 110 h and 73 h at current densities of 100 and 500 mA cm−2, respectively. This work develops a facile strategy for designing lattice defect MOF-based electrocatalysts, paving the way for efficient OER systems. Moreover, the as-prepared electrocatalyst meets industrial applicability criteria with its stability at high current density. Rod-like morphology of NiCo-TDC-MOF is grown on nickel foam via hydrothermal method, exhibiting exceptional oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance with ultralow overpotentials (194, 248 and 296 mV at 10, 100 and 200 mA cm−2) and outstanding stability (110-73 h at 100–500 mA cm−2). This work presents a promising electrocatalyst for efficient OER systems, meeting industrial applicability criteria. [Display omitted] •Rod-like NiCo-TDC-MOF catalyst grown on nickel foam via hydrothermal method.•Binder-free NiCo-TDC-MOF exhibits remarkable OER activity.•The electrode demonstrates robust stability under high current density.•Post-OER analysis reveals metal (oxy)hydroxides are the real active sites for OER.