Issue 29, 2024

Ligand-regulated Ni-based coordination compounds to promote self-reconstruction for improved oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

Ni-based coordination compounds, during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), self-reconstruct to produce NiOOH, which are the real active sites. Thus, encouraging the self-reconstruction of pre-catalysts to generate more NiOOH species has emerged as an effective strategy for enhancing the activity. In this research, we utilized three coordination compounds, Ni(N(CN)2)2, Ni(NCN), and Ni(HNCN)2, to examine the effect of three distinct ligands (–N(CN)2–, –HNCN–, and –NCN–) on the local electronic structure of coordinated Ni, aiming to promote the degree of self-reconstruction during the OER. XPS studies and in situ Raman spectroscopy revealed a significant relationship between the electron-donating properties of coordinated Ni and the self-reconstruction abilities of the pre-catalysts. Notably, Ni coordinated with –N(CN)2– exhibits a high tendency to donate electrons, leading to facile reconstruction of Ni(N(CN)2)2 into Ni(OOH)–(N(CN)2). As a result, Ni(OOH)–(N(CN)2) displays high OER activity (264 mV @ 10 mA cm−2 and Tafel slope of 40.80 mV dec−1) in comparison to Ni(OOH)–(NCN) (290 mV @ 10 mA cm−2 and Tafel slope of 55.63 mV dec−1) and Ni(OOH)–(HNCN) (307 mV @ 10 mA cm−2 and Tafel slope of 77.70 mV dec−1). These findings offer new perspectives on designing and developing innovative catalysts to enhance OER efficiency.

Graphical abstract: Ligand-regulated Ni-based coordination compounds to promote self-reconstruction for improved oxygen evolution reaction

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
04 may. 2024
Accepted
14 jun. 2024
First published
17 jun. 2024

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 18294-18303

Ligand-regulated Ni-based coordination compounds to promote self-reconstruction for improved oxygen evolution reaction

M. Ajmal, X. Guo, M. A. Memon, M. Asim, C. Shi, R. Gao, L. Pan, X. Zhang, Z. Huang and J. Zou, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024, 12, 18294 DOI: 10.1039/D4TA03086A

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