NiCoCe/NF nanosheet clusters for alkaline electrolyzed water oxygen evolution reaction

This study developed a ternary NiCoCe/NF nanosheet composite material aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline water. Cerium oxide, due to its high catalytic activity, large specific surface area, and good electronic conductivity, serves as an ideal electrocatalyst, effectively promoting the oxidation of water molecules. Research indicates that the appropriate doping of cerium oxide can create a synergistic effect with NiCo, significantly improving the OER activity of the composite catalyst. In a 1 M KOH solution, the ternary composite exhibited a low initial potential of 1.44 V (vs. RHE) and a mere overpotential of 207 mV at 10 mA cm −2 . The structural stability of cerium oxide prevents the degradation of the catalyst under high current densities, allowing the composite catalyst to maintain long-term catalytic activity during the OER process and extend its operational lifespan. Consequently, the NiCoCe/NF catalyst demonstrates excellent stability, with no performance decay observed after 36 hours of continuous water electrolysis at 100 mA cm −2 . This study presents a novel approach to designing efficient and stable catalysts for water decomposition.