Enhancing oxygen evolution performances of NiO-based electrocatalysts through synergistic plasma processing and laser treatment

Abstract

The continuous search for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts as greener substitutes for noble metal-based ones has spotlighted NiO-based systems as attractive and economically viable candidates, thanks to their affordability and electrochemical virtues. Nevertheless, progresses in this field require additional research efforts aimed at improving material performances, towards their possible real-world applications. In this context, the present work proposes an original processing route to boost OER performances of NiO-based systems, involving plasma-assisted growth followed by ultrafast laser processing under controlled conditions. The activated catalysts featured a significant enhancement in water oxidation performances, corresponding in the best case to a low Tafel slope of ≈40 mV × dec⁻¹ and an overpotential of ≈380 mV at 10 mA × cm⁻². Overall, these results may provide valuable insights for the development of high-performance electrocatalysts with modular properties.