Adjusting the electronic structure by Ni incorporation: a generalized in situ electrochemical strategy to enhance water oxidation activity of oxyhydroxides

Abstract

An in situ electrochemical strategy is developed to convert semi-conductive β-FeOOH to OER-active semi-metallic Ni incorporated β-FeOOH. The sample exhibits an overpotential of 247 mV at 10 mA cm⁻², which is much lower than those of pure β-FeOOH (400 mV) and RuO₂ (258 mV). This strategy is also suitable for incorporating Ni into γ-FeOOH and CoOOH with enhanced OER activities.