Engineering heterogeneous nickel-iron oxide/iron phosphate on P, N co-doped carbon fibers for efficient oxygen evolution reaction in neutral and alkaline solutions

Abstract

The rational design of heterogeneous catalyst can be favored by synergistic interface for promising water electrolysis performance. Herein, the heterogeneous catalyst of NiFe2O4/Fe3(PO4)2-PNC is prepared from NiFe LDH deposited phytic acid incorporated polyaniline nanofibers (PA-PANI) in situ grown on carbon cloth. The hybrid NiFe2O4/Fe3(PO4)2 nanoparticles acquire modulated OER mechanism due to the promoted proton transfer of phosphate group. The nanoparticles decorated tightly on PNC nanofibers assure high exposure of active sites and fast charge exchange. With the aid of above benefits, the NiFe2O4/Fe3(PO4)2-PNC@CC exhibits good OER activities in neutral and alkaline medias, with low overpotentials of 325 mV and 275 mV at current density of 10 mA cm−2, respectively, showing great potential as pH-tolerant OER catalyst for water splitting.