Strain-Engineered Self-Optimizing Heterointerface Catalysts for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution

Abstract

The development of cost-effective and durable oxygen evolution reaction catalysts remains crucial for sustainable hydrogen production. A Ni(OH)₂@CoOOH electrocatalyst was engineered through heterogeneous interfacial design, synthesized on nickel foam via a one-step solvothermal method. Atomic-level lattice mismatches generate interfacial strain that optimizes electronic structures, while hierarchical nanosheet/nanoribbon architectures ensure structural stability. In situ surface remodeling during operation produces hydroxyl-rich Co^3+δOOH species, enabling sustained performance enhancement. The catalyst achieves low overpotentials of 320 mV@50 mA cm⁻² and 337 mV@100 mA cm⁻², outperforming commercial RuO₂. Notably, it exhibits a 3.5% potential decrease during 152 h operation at 500 mA cm⁻², where operando fragmentation generates fresh active interfaces. This work establishes a universal heterointerface design strategy that bridges scalable synthesis with atomic-level control for industrial water electrolysis.