Facile Synthesis of Ni-BDC/LDH Heterostructured Catalysts With Enhanced Catalytic Activity for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

The design and synthesis of MOF-based heterostructures have emerged as a promising approach for optimizing the performance of oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this study, we report the synthesis of nickel-benzene dicarboxylate (Ni-BDC)/layered double hydroxide (LDH) heterostructured catalyst on nickel foam (NF). Driven by the difference in their work functions, interfacial electrons transfer from Ni-LDH to Ni-BDC and elevate the valence state of Ni in Ni-LDH, thereby facilitating the formation of active sties and improving the catalytic activity. The Ni-BDC/LDH-0.5@NF catalyst demonstrated superior OER performance requiring an overpotential of only 218 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² and a low Tafel slope of 108 mV dec⁻¹. Furthermore, the catalyst exhibits exceptional electrochemical stability. This work provides an effective approach for constructing MOF/LDH heterostructure catalysts and offers valuable insights into the structure-activity relationship for improving OER performance.