Morphological and compositional modification of β-Ni(OH)2 nanoplates by ferrihydrite for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction

Ni(OH) 2 has been long studied as an effective oxygen evolution electrocatalyst . Nevertheless, its catalytic activity can still be further enhanced by microstructural modification and Fe-doping. In this study, with the assistance of adsorbent ferrihydrite (FH), we obtain Fe-doped β-Ni(OH) 2 nanoplates with Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles decorated on the surface via a facile hydrothermal process. The Fe-doping, decorated Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles , and special microstructure endow β-Ni(OH) 2 nanoplates with an improved oxygen evolution activity in alkaline solutions. For the sample with optimal FH amount, the overpotential to motivate a current density of 10 mA cm −2 is 280 mV, with a low Tafel slope of ~64.17 mV dec −1 . During the 10 h i-t test at 1.50 V vs. RHE , the current density has an attenuation of only 23.7%. The study opens a facile avenue to modify Ni(OH) 2 -based OER catalyst from perspectives of both microstructures and compositions .