Self-supported Cu–Ni–Se nanostuctures on carbon cloth derived from Cu–Ni-MOF nanorectangles with exceptional electrocatalytic performance for oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

Searching for efficient, high active, and low-cost electrocatalysts toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of immense importance in commercial water electrolysis application. In view of this, a novel approach is applied to design a self-supported Cu–Ni–Se nanostuctures on carbon cloth (CC) derived from Cu–Ni-MOF nanorectangles for OER (Cu–Ni–Se@CC). The self-supported Cu–Ni–Se@CC renders an overpotential as low as 270 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm−2 for OER in KOH (1 M) alkaline solution with high stability. The outstanding OER electrocatalytic activity of Cu–Ni–Se@CC can be originated from its unique properties such as high active sites exposure, high surface areas, and effective mass transport channels. This work provides new insights for the rational engineering of advanced composite nanostructures based on noble-metal-free OER electrocatalyst with high efficient and low-cost features.