Novel approach to enhancing layered double hydroxide catalyst performance and stability through substrate structure control

Abstract

This study introduces an innovative method to boost the performance and stability of the oxygen evolution reaction(OER) by employing a nickel-catalyzed substrate(Ni-CS) featuring diversified porosity and a high density of hydroxyl groups on the surface, as an alternative to traditional commercial Ni foam. Significantly, the NiFe layered double hydroxide(LDH)@Ni-CS electrode achieved a breakthrough in current density, reaching 200 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 300 mV. Additionally, this electrode displayed unparalleled long-term stability with a high current density of 2 A cm−2 for 800 h. The significant increase in durability can be ascribed to the distinctive formation owing to the cross-linked structure and entrapment of LDH within the pores of Ni-CS, which inhibits the release of Fe ions and ensures the stability performance. These observations highlight the critical influence of the substrate microstructure and composition on electrode efficacy, suggesting a novel direction for engineering sophisticated electrodes for alkaline water electrolysis. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.