NiFe-LDH nanosheets with high activity in three dimensions on NiFe foam electrode for water oxidation

Water decomposition is the most promising system for developing renewable energy, but the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the key limiting factor. Recently, inorganic nanomaterials have been widely used as an effective catalyst for the stimulation of OER kinetics, for which the subsequent dispersion and the current collector are essential. We present a three-dimensional NiFe-layered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) synthesized by electrochemical corrosion, with increased electrochemical performance for electrocatalytic water splitting. Electrochemical measurements reveal that the NiFe-LDH has a lower Tafel slope of 46 mV center dot dec(-1) compared with the NiFe foam. The resulting elec-trode had a current density of 50 mA center dot cm(-2) and a remarkably low overpotential of 150 mV. Theoretical calculations and experimental observations showed and explained NiFe-LDH-90 electrode has high alkaline medium endurance, implying excellent OER electrocatalytic activity. The produced composite is expected to bring new insights into the design of foam electrocatalyst materials for OER. (c) 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.