Regulating spin polarization by diatomic doping of a NiFe layered double hydroxide to achieve efficient electrocatalytic water splitting

Abstract

This article addresses the challenge of water electrolysis for hydrogen production by employing a simple, one-step hydrothermal technique to fabricate diatomic-doped nickel-iron layered double hydroxide nanosheets on the surface of cheap nickel foam (Mn_0.2Ce_0.8–NiFe–LDH/NF). The resulting catalyst exhibits an array structure of nanosheets and demonstrates favorable electrocatalytic activity and stability in both the oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reactions. Additionally, the study reveals the rapid kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction when catalyzed by Mn_0.2Ce_0.8–NiFe–LDH/NF. The interlayer Ce and the Mn within the layer plate influence the valence and spin states of the Fe through charge transfer and lattice strain, respectively. Despite not forming direct bonds, the doped atoms synergistically act on the same Fe site through shared oxygen ions and lattice vibrations. By developing a novel approach to fabricate high-performance and cost-effective NiFe–LDH electrocatalysts, this research paves the way for progress in water-splitting catalysis.