Constructing Ru doped Fe/nickel foam with an efficient oxygen evolution reaction using a simple one-step electrodeposition technique

Abstract

Developing an OER electrocatalyst with high efficiency and long-term stability using a simple method is of great significance for water splitting. However, the lack of easily accessible active sites and the degradation of durability caused by reconstruction during the reaction process remain challenges. Herein, we successfully prepared Ru doped Fe on nickel foam (NF) using a facile electrodeposition method. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of the porous structure and more accessible active sites, Ru-0.01–Fe/NF-2.5 exhibits low OER overpotentials of 134 and 168 mV at current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm⁻², respectively. More significantly, the electrolytic cell assembled with Ru-0.01–Fe/NF-2.5 and Pt/C as the anode and cathode for overall water splitting only requires a low voltage of 1.46 V to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm⁻². In addition, the electrolytic cell maintained robust stability even after continuous operation for 48 hours at a high current density of approximately 100 mA cm⁻². This work may open an avenue for constructing effective OER electrocatalysts via a facile method and promote their applications in industrial water electrolysis.