Integration of FeOOH and Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐Derived Nanoporous Carbon as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Water Oxidation

Abstract As a cost‐effective catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the potential use of FeOOH is hindered by its intrinsic poor electron conductivity. Here, the significant enhancement of OER activity and long‐term stability of electrodeposited FeOOH on zeolitic imidazolate framework‐derived N‐doped porous carbons (NPCs) are reported. In alkaline media, FeOOH/NPC supported on nickel foam as a 3D electrode delivers a current density of 100 mA cm −2 at a small overpotential of 230 mV and exhibits a low Tafel slope of 33.8 mV dec −1 as well as excellent durability, making it one of the most active OER catalysts. Such high performance is attributed to a combined effect of the excellent electron conductivity of NPC and the synergy between FeOOH and NiO derived from Ni substrate.