Cr(OH)3 nanosheets@ZIF67 electrocatalysts prepared by electrodeposition method for efficient oxygen evolution reaction

In this paper, a Cr(OH)3 NSs@ZIF67 (NSs = nanosheets) electrocatalyst is prepared on foam Ni via a simple and rapid electrochemical deposition method. Excellent electrocatalytic activity of Cr(OH)3 NSs@ZIF67 is demonstrated. It can use the overpotential of 281 mV and 390 mV respectively to drive 10 mA cm−2 and 50 mA cm−2. It is observed that the Cr(OH)3 NSs@ZIF67 electrode has the highest initial current density at 1.57 V compared with the other two monomer electrodes and shows excellent stability at the end of 60 000 s. It has the largest electrochemical activity specific surface and lowest charge-transfer resistance, and M–O bonds (M = Co, Cr) and shifting of binding energy peaks at the interface lead to more active sites and more efficient electron transfer for oxygen evolution reaction. This work highlights the construction of highly efficient composite electrocatalysts composted of low-dimensional non-precious transition metal compounds and metalorganic frameworks, promoting the development of low-cost non-noble metal composites in energy chemistry.