Enhanced Activity and Stability of Heteroatom-Doped Carbon/Bimetal Oxide for Efficient Water-Splitting Reaction

Abstract

The research community is actively exploring ways to create cost-efficient and high-performing electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction. In this investigation, an innovative technique was employed to produce heteroatom-doped carbon containing NiCo oxides, i.e., HC/NiCo oxide@800, in the form of a three-dimensional hierarchical flower. This method involved the reduction of a bimetallic (Ni, Co) metal–organic framework, followed by carefully controlled oxidative calcination. The resulting porous flower-like structure possess numerous advantages, such as expansive specific surface areas, excellent conductivity, and multiple electrocatalytic active sites for both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. Moreover, the presence of oxygen vacancies within HC/NiCo oxide@800 significantly enhances the conductivity of the NiCo substance, thus expediting the kinetics of both the processes. These benefits work together synergistically to enhance the electrocatalytic performance of HC/NiCo oxide@800. Empirical findings reveal that HC/NiCo oxide@800 electrocatalysts demonstrate exceptional catalytic activity, minimal overpotential, and remarkable stability when deployed for both hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions in alkaline environments. This investigation introduces a fresh avenue for creating porous composite electrocatalysts by transforming metal–organic frameworks with controllable structures. This approach holds promise for advancing electrochemical energy conversion devices by facilitating the development of efficient and customizable electrocatalytic materials.