An In-Depth Study of the Fe−Se System at the Nanoscale Reveals Remarkable Results on the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction

A catalyst for an electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a key component of the large-scale storage of renewable energy through the conversion of water into oxygen and hydrogen. Iron-based selenide materials are currently being considered as potential options for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) because of their, widespread availability, low cost, and outstanding performance. In this study, we employed a thermal decomposition method to synthesize all stable phases of the Fe−Se system, including Fe₇Se₈, Fe₃Se₄, FeSe₂, and FeSe. Additionally, we slurry-coated these phases onto a three-dimensional (3D) nickel foam substrate. The prepared 3D electrodes of Fe₇Se₈, Fe₃Se₄, FeSe₂, and FeSe exhibit remarkably low overpotentials of 270, 276, 299, and 289 mV at a current density of 50 mA/cm² for OER. In addition, the catalytic activity for OER is also tested on glassy carbon electrodes to compare its performance with the Ni-foam 3D substrate. The Fe₇Se₈ phase in the Fe−Se system exhibits the highest catalytic activity towards OER on both substrates due to variations in the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ratio and the presence of Fe vacancies (cation vacancies) within the crystal lattice. Moreover, a faradaic efficiency of 98 % was exhibited by Fe₇Se₈ for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).