One-step electrodeposition of carbon quantum dots and transition metal ions for N-doped carbon coupled with NiFe oxide clusters: A high-performance electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution

NiFe-based materials are excellent electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) to promise as replacements for Ru- and Ir-based anode materials for water splitting. In this work, NiFeOx clusters strongly coupled N-doped carbon (NiFeOx©NC) hybrid is prepared by a one-step electrodeposition process in an aqueous solution containing Ni2+, Fe3+, and carbon quantum dots. The highly coupled interface between the sub-nano NiFeOx clusters and N-doped carbon results in the enhanced OER performance superior to the commercial dimensionally stable anode (RuIr-based), as evidenced by its lower overpotential (195 mV at 10 mA cm−2) and faster kinetics (Tafel slope of 33 mV dec−1), along with the excellent long-term durability, rate capability and environmental adaptability. It is believed that the NiFeOx©NC hybrid and electrodeposition–electrocatalysis strategy developed in this work provide new possibilities for the development of clean electrochemical technology.