Facile synthesis of Fe-doped Co 9 S 8 nano-microspheres grown on nickel foam for efficient oxygen evolution reaction

•Fe-doped Co9S8 spheres grown on nickel foam (Fe-Co9S8 NM/NF) were synthesized by hydrothermal way.•(Fe, Ni)-doping can change the morphology and achieve the intrinsic high catalytic activity of Co9S8.•Fe doping in Co9S8 provides the synergistic effect for the enhanced OER activity.•Fe-doped Co9S8 nanostructure may be a promising choice for efficient OER.