Flower-like Co3O4@NiFe-LDH nanosheets enable high-performance bifunctionality towards both electrocatalytic HER and OER in alkaline solution

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2022-10, Vol.919, p.165877, Article 165877
• Main Authors: Meng, Lingxin, Xuan, Haicheng, wang, Jie, Liang, Xiaohong, Li, Yuping, Yang, Jie, Han, Peide
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkaline medium; Catalysis; Catalysts; Cobalt oxides; Electrocatalysts; Electrodes; Electronic structure; Heterostructure; Interface stability; Intermetallic compounds; Iron compounds; Metal foams; Nanosheets; Nanostructure; Nanowires; Nickel compounds; NiFe-LDH; Oxygen evolution reactions; Reaction kinetics; Water splitting
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2022.165877

Exploring highly active and cost-effective metal-based overall water splitting catalysts are crucial for the large-scale conversion of sustainable electrical energy to fuels, feedstocks and green economy. Here, a nickel foam-supported electrocatalyst consisting of a one-dimensional Co3O4 nanowire and two-dimensional NiFe-LDH nanosheets is reported. The optimized Co3O4@NiFe-LDH/NF catalyst affords 79 and 215 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for catalyzing the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction in 1.0 M KOH, which also exhibits quick reaction kinetics and excellent durability. The self-supported electrode only requires 1.58 V to afford 10 mA cm−2 with astonishing stability for water splitting. The linked interfacial nanostructure between NiFe-LDH and Co3O4, which supports the enhancement of the electronic structure and increases catalytic active sites, is primarily responsible for the electrode’s remarkable catalysis performance. The Co3O4@NiFe-LDH/NF as an ideal electrocatalyst lays forth a broad technique for synthesizing electrocatalytic materials for efficient and scalable water splitting. [Display omitted] •The heterostructured Co3O4@NiFe-LDH-120/NF was synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal method.•The influences of hydrothermal temperature on morphology and electrochemical property were investigated.•The nano-flower architecture of Co3O4@NiFe-LDH-120/NF boosted kinetics of Co3O4.•Co3O4@NiFe-LDH-120/NF electrode showed outstanding stability with more than 80 h towards overall water splitting.