Promoting nickel oxidation state transitions in single-layer NiFeB hydroxide nanosheets for efficient oxygen evolution

Abstract Promoting the formation of high-oxidation-state transition metal species in a hydroxide catalyst may improve its catalytic activity in the oxygen evolution reaction, which remains difficult to achieve with current synthetic strategies. Herein, we present a synthesis of single-layer NiFeB hydroxide nanosheets and demonstrate the efficacy of electron-deficient boron in promoting the formation of high-oxidation-state Ni for improved oxygen evolution activity. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and electrochemical analyses show that incorporation of B into a NiFe hydroxide causes a cathodic shift of the Ni 2+ (OH) 2 → Ni 3+δ OOH transition potential. Density functional theory calculations…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 22172153, 21903058, 22071191
• GO
  Government of Jiangsu Province
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province

  Award: BK20190810
• UO
  University of Science and Technology of China
• PA
  Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions

  Award: 111 Project
• HE
  Higher Education Discipline Innovation Project
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
• KR
  Key Research and Development Projects of Shaanxi Province

  Award: 2021GXLH-Z-022