Long-range disordered MoZn electrocatalyst with a synergistic AEM-LOM mechanism for efficient oxygen evolution

Abstract

Electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have garnered substantial attention owing to their pivotal role in water splitting for hydrogen generation. In this study, corrosion engineering is employed to synthesize a long-range disordered MoZn-based catalyst on nickel foam (MoZn/NF). The synthesized catalyst features a superhydrophilic surface, long-range disordered nanosheet array, and porous channels, enabling effective active site exposure and favorable bubble diffusion during the OER. In addition, the incorporation of Zn optimizes the surface adsorption state of *OH and reaction kinetics, shifting the adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM) of Mo/NF to the synergistic mechanism of adsorbate evolution and lattice oxygen participation (AEM-LOM) of the MoZn/NF catalyst, thereby enhancing the catalyst's OER activity and stability. Remarkably, at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻², it achieves an overpotential of 241 mV and maintains stability for 50 hours without significant degradation in 1 M KOH. Moreover, with its outstanding performance in overall water splitting (1.58 V@10 mA cm⁻²), the MoZn/NF electrode can be powered by sustainable energy sources, showcasing its potential for practical applications in renewable energy conversion systems. Therefore, this work provides a feasible approach for simultaneously enhancing the activity and stability of the OER process by activating the dual synergistic mechanisms, and this approach provides favorable conditions for efficient water electrolysis to generate hydrogen.