Ni-Co layered double-hydroxide arrays on stainless steel substrate: Interfacial hydroxide layer enhanced electrocatalyst with high stability for oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 946; p. 169325
• Main Authors: Li, Lingfeng, Long, Junxi, Ye, Qinglan, Xu, Xuetang, Wang, Fan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.06.2023
• Subjects: High stability; Interfacial hydroxide layer; NiCo-LDH; Oxygen evolution reaction; Stainless steel substrate; NiCo-LDH; Oxygen evolution reaction; Stainless steel substrate; Interfacial hydroxide layer; High stability
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.169325

High-efficiency electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are highly desired during large-scale water electrolysis in hydrogen production. In this work, a commercial stainless steel (SS) mesh substrate is activated through an alternate acid etching/alkali-hydrothermal treatment to form an interfacial hydroxide layer. Subsequently, a seamless integrated electrode including Ni-Co layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) nanoarrays and SS substrate is successfully synthesized. The pre-formed interfacial layer guides the growth of NiCo-LDH nanoarrays, and firmly connect NiCo-LDH nanoarray and stainless steel substrate, wherein a durable catalyst with high activity and low resistance nature for OER is constructed. The as-prepared integrated electrode delivers the low OER overpotential of 243 and 292 mV for 10 and 250 mA cm−2 current densities respectively, and excellent long-term durability over 100 h in 1 M KOH solution. Electrocatalysis studies reveal the role of the interfacial hydroxide layer on the growth and catalytic activity of NiCo-LDH nanoarrays, and structural stability in durability test. [Display omitted] •Alternate acid etching/alkali-hydrothermal treatment for activation of SS mesh.•An interfacial layer guides the growth and enhances the adhesion of NiCo-LDH.•A durable catalyst with high activity and low resistance nature for OER.•Low OER overpotential of 243 and 292 mV for 10 and 250 mA cm−2.•Excellent long-term durability over 100 h.