Enhanced electrocatalytic performance of NiFe layered double hydroxide for oxygen evolution reaction by CoW surface codoping

Poor conductivity and low catalytic activity of NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) limit its application as an electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this work, heterostructure along with oxygen vacancy and amorphous structure, which is available to the enhancement of catalytic activity were introduced in the surface of NiFe-LDH by Co and W codoping using hydrothermal method. The overpotential of OER at 50 mA cm−2 is decreased from 304 mV of NiFe-LDH to 263 mV of W0.5Co0.5@NiFe-LDH. Moreover, the existence of W6+ species in LDH can significantly improve the electrochemical kinetics of OER as well as the stability of catalyst. This work provides a new strategy to induce active sites in the surface as well as inhibit the formation of defects in the bulk so as to enhance the catalytic activity and still maintain the stability nature of catalysts.