Bimetallic–organic frameworks derived heterointerface arrangements of V, N co-doped Co/Fe–selenide nanosheets electrocatalyst for efficient overall water-splitting

Abstract

Due to their high specific surface area, modifiable chemical functionality, and accessibility of bountiful active sites, the metal–organic framework derivatives hold great potential for catalytic activity. Herein, heterointerface vanadium and nitrogen co-doped Co/Fe selenides inlaid in N-doped carbon shell are grown on nickel foam (V,N–Co/Fe–Se/C@NF) derived from V-doped bimetallic–organic frameworks (V–CoFe–MOF@NF), followed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) selenization. The results show that V,N–Co/Fe–Se/C@NF requires lower overpotentials (η) for HER (η10 = 67 mV, η100 = 160 mV), and OER (η20 = 257 mV, η100 = 301 mV). Notably, the electrolyzer V,N–Co/Fe–Se/C@NF (+, −) needs 1.51 V cell voltage at 10 mA cm−2, lower than that of RuO2@NF (+)//Pt–C@NF (−) (1.59 V) to drive same current density. Thus, our work provides a new avenue for synthesis of MOF-derived heterointerfaces for clean hydrogen production at massive scale through water electrolysis.