Copper-doped nickel–iron metal/metal oxide electrode with improved performance by promoting synergistic effects in the oxygen evolution reaction

• Published in: Materials today chemistry Vol. 40; p. 102225
• Main Authors: Gong, Xiaoyu, Ge, Jiawei, Qi, Jun, Ding, Honghe, Zhang, Leijie, Ma, Peiyu, Chen, Zuohuan, Zhang, Nian, Xu, Jilong, Zhu, Lijuan, Lu, Jiaxiang, Li, Guiqiang, Ge, Junjie, Ye, Yifan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Charge transport; Cu doping; OER kinetics; Trimetallic system; Charge transport; Cu doping; Trimetallic system; OER kinetics
• ISSN: 2468-5194; 2468-5194
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtchem.2024.102225

Advancing the performance of NiFe catalytic systems for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is challenging, notably upon incorporating a third transition metal to create a trimetallic configuration. This study introduces a Cu-doped NiFe electrocatalyst, synthesized via a streamlined redeposition technique. The catalyst exhibits a Tafel slope of 38 mV dec−1 and a low overpotential of 248 mV at a current density of 100 mA cm−2, plus a 2.5-fold boost in intrinsic activity. Density Functional Theory (DFT) and spectroscopic analyses demonstrate that Cu doping refines the electronic structure, enhancing charge density around the Fermi level and multiplying active OER sites. The Cu1Fe6Ni18 catalyst features robust Cu–O and Fe–O bond interactions, enhancing charge transport and OER kinetics. Our research elucidates the synergistic effects of Cu and Fe in a trimetallic system, offering an impactful approach to elevate trimetallic catalyst performance. In the high-performance Cu1Fe6Ni18 catalyst, we believe that Cu serves as a dopant to modulate the electronic structure. Simultaneously, Fe and Cu participate in electron transfer through shared oxygen ligands, facilitating the progression of the oxygen evolution reaction. [Display omitted] •Cu serves as a dopant to modulate the electronic structure.•Fe and Cu participate in electron transfer through shared oxgen ligands, facilitating the progression of the OER.•The overpotential of the catalyst at 100 mA cm−2 is 248 mV, and the Tafel slope is 38.2 mV dec−1.