Revealing the Dynamics and Roles of Iron Incorporation in Nickel Hydroxide Water Oxidation Catalysts

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c07975
• Publication Date: 2021-10-14T01:46:39Z
• Authors: Chunguang Kuai; Cong Xi; Anyang Hu; Yan Zhang; Zhengrui Xu; Dennis Nordlund; Cheng-Jun Sun; Christopher A. Ca...; Ryan M. Richards; Luxi Li; Cun-Ku Dong; Xi-Wen Du; Feng Lin
• Keywords: Oxygen evolution; X-ray absorption spectroscopy

The surface of an electrocatalyst undergoes dynamic chemical and structural transformations under electrochemical operating conditions. There is a exchange metal cations between the electrolyte. Understanding how iron in electrolyte gets incorporated nickel hydroxide critical for pinpointing roles Fe during water oxidation. Here, we report that incorporation oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are highly coupled, especially at high working potentials. rate much higher OER potentials than dormant state (low potentials). At potentials, favors electrochemically more reactive edge sites, as visualized by synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy. Using absorption spectroscopy density functional theory calculations, show can suppress oxidation Ni enhance reducibility, leading to improved catalytic activity. Our findings provide holistic approach understanding tailoring dynamics across electrocatalyst–electrolyte interface, thus controlling processes.