Boosting lattice oxygen reactivity via W O coordination and electronic structure modulation in NiFe-LDH electrocatalysts

In this work, a W O bond-enriched NiFe layered double hydroxide composite (NiFe-LDH@NWT) was synthesized as a high-performance electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. The incorporation of W O bonds effectively modulates the local electronic environment and surface charge distribution of the NiFe-LDH, thereby enhancing its intrinsic activity and interfacial reactivity. Electrochemical measurements reveal that NiFe-LDH@NWT delivers low overpotentials of 236 mV at current densities of 100 mA cm −2 , respectively, with a small Tafel slope of 33.53 mV dec −1 , indicating favorable reaction kinetics. In addition, the electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) reaches 7.82 mF cm −2 , confirming the increased density of accessible active sites upon W O bond integration. Notably, the catalyst maintains excellent operational stability for over 1000 h at a current density of 100 mA cm −2 . These findings highlight a promising strategy to tailor the physicochemical properties of LDH-based catalysts, providing valuable insights into the rational design of stable and efficient OER systems for water-splitting applications. NiFe-LDH@NWT featuring W O bonding and abundant oxygen vacancies promotes lattice oxygen activation, accelerates OER kinetics, and enhances long-term stability, providing an efficient strategy for designing durable electrocatalysts under alkaline or seawater conditions. • W O bond coordination modulates the electronic structure of NiFe-LDH catalysts. • Oxygen vacancies facilitate charge transfer and promote lattice oxygen activation. • NiFe-LDH@NWT exhibits superior OER activity and long-term stability over 1000 h. • Pseudocapacitive contribution analysis reveals the OER control mechanism. • LOM mechanism validated by pH-dependent kinetics and oxygen vacancy analysis.