Laser-induced synthesis of polyoxometalate-derived Fe2O3–MoO3 heterostructure to boost oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

A polyoxometalate (POM)-derived bimetallic oxide heterostructure of Fe₂O₃–MoO₃ on Ni foam is synthesized via a laser annealing strategy. POM enables controllable preparation of a particle morphology while laser annealing creates abundant vacancies and interfaces. The amorphous Fe₂O₃–MoO₃ heterostructure exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic performance for OER, requiring an overpotential of 250 mV at 10 mA cm^–2 and a Tafel slope of 49 mV dec^–1. Post-reaction characterizations confirm Mo dissolution and structural reconstruction to form Mo-doped FeOOH species.