In-situ decoration of NiCo-thiophene based metal-organic framework on nickel foam as an efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

Developing efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is highly demanded but still challenging due to sluggish reaction kinetics. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered potential electrocatalysts for efficient OER. Herein, NiCo-thiophene based metal-organic frameworks (NiCo-TDC-MOF) are in situ grown on nickel foam (NF) via a convenient hydrothermal approach. The as-prepared binder-free NiCo-TDC-MOF electrode exhibits exceptional OER performance with ultralow overpotentials of 194, 248, and 296 mV at current densities of 10, 100 and 200 mA cm⁻², respectively. Notably, the electrode displays outstanding OER stability, operating steadily for 110 h and 73 h at current densities of 100 and 500 mA cm⁻², respectively. This work develops a facile strategy for designing lattice defect MOF-based electrocatalysts, paving the way for efficient OER systems. Moreover, the as-prepared electrocatalyst meets industrial applicability criteria with its stability at high current density.