One-pot synthesis of NiFe nanoarrays under an external magnetic field as an efficient oxygen evolution reaction catalyst

Abstract

Designing and developing earth-abundant electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media is a critical element in the societal development of sustainable energy. MIL-53(Fe–Ni)/NF-2200Gs was synthesized under an external magnetic field. Such MIL-53(Fe–Ni)/NF-2200Gs show exceptionally high catalytic activity and require an overpotential of only 174 mV to drive a geometrical catalytic current density of 10 mA cm⁻² in 1.0 M KOH, superior to RuO₂ and most Fe, Ni-based electrocatalysts. Our work emphasizes the optimization of catalytic activity originating from the improvement of the magnetic properties of the catalyst, which enhances the spin polarization and tailors the d-electron structure of cations, leading to outstanding OER activity. This work would open new opportunities to design and develop transition-metal-based nanometer arrays toward efficient and stable water oxidation in alkaline media for applications.