Modulating nickel-iron active species via dealloying to boost the oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

The surface structure and composition of pre-catalysts play a critical role in the surface reconstruction process toward active species during the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Surface modified methods can accelerate the OER process of alloy ribbons, but the understanding of pre-catalysts and the structure/reactivity of the reconstruction (active) species is still insufficient. Herein, we report a two-step dealloyed Ni–Fe–P alloy ribbon as a highly efficient OER electrocatalyst. By adjusting the surface-derived component, we could regulate Ni/Fe hydroxide active species on the Ni–Fe–P alloy ribbon, enhancing the OER performance. The oxidation and release of P driven by dealloying plays a key role in constructing optimal β-NiOOH/FeOOH catalytic species on Ni–Fe–P. The optimal β-NiOOH/FeOOH active species enables Ni–Fe–P alloy to obtain a 104 mV of reduction in overpotential (at 10 mA cm⁻²) and a 78-fold increase in current density (at overpotential: 300 mV) compared to undealloyed Ni–Fe–P. Our work provides valuable insights into the relationship between the surface structure/composition of alloy bulk electrocatalysts and surface-reconstructed species and a rational design of a surface treatment process.