4f–2p–3d orbital overlap in a metal–organic framework-derived CeO2/CeCo-LDH heterostructure promotes water oxidation

Abstract

Herein, we have demonstrated a facile method for the synthesis of CeO₂/Ce–Co-LDH heterostructures using zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 as the precursor. The Ce-incorporation in Co-LDH results in 4f–2p–3d orbital overlap to tune the electronic structure whereas the oxygen-deficient CeO₂ controls the interface charge transfer. This results in excellent water oxidation activity to attain 500 mA cm⁻² current density at 320 overpotential.