The ultra-high oxygen evolution activity of Fe modified NiPt alloy assisted by Pt pre-oxidation in alkaline electrolyte

Constructing ultra-high activity, highly efficient and robust oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts, especially at large current density, plays a key role in the development of the electrolytic water industry but remains challenging. Highly dispersed alloy compound with large electrolyte contact area and excellent internal conductivity is considered as a kind of ideal candidate. Here, we have rationally designed and synthesized a nickel-platinum alloy with octahedral structure loaded on the surface of the carbon layer (NiPt/C). Under the insitu modulation of the iron-containing electrolyte, the Fe modified NiPt/C catalyst displays an amazing OER activity in 1 M KOH, and only requires low overpotentials of 183 and 242 mV to reach 100 and 1000 mA cm-2, respectively. The comprehensive characterization analysis and property measurements reveal that the preoxidation of Pt at OER potential contribute to the rapid production of nickel hydroxide, thus promoting the deposition of more iron active sites on its surface. Moreover, the Pt/C/CP(-)//NiPt/C/CP(+) couple embedded in anion-exchange membrane water electrolyser also displays a low cell voltage of 2.03 V at 1000 mA cm-2 with significant electrochemical stability, which endows it a great potential in the field of hydrogen production and electrochemical energy storage.