An Advanced Ni–Fe Layered Double Hydroxide\nElectrocatalyst for Water Oxidation

Abstract

Highly active, durable, and cost-effective\nelectrocatalysts for\nwater oxidation to evolve oxygen gas hold a key to a range of renewable\nenergy solutions, including water-splitting and rechargeable metal–air\nbatteries. Here, we report the synthesis of ultrathin nickel–iron\nlayered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) nanoplates on mildly oxidized\nmultiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Incorporation of Fe into the\nnickel hydroxide induced the formation of NiFe-LDH. The crystalline\nNiFe-LDH phase in nanoplate form is found to be highly active for\noxygen evolution reaction in alkaline solutions. For NiFe-LDH grown\non a network of CNTs, the resulting NiFe-LDH/CNT complex exhibits\nhigher electrocatalytic activity and stability for oxygen evolution\nthan commercial precious metal Ir catalysts.