Flower-like Co3O4@NiFe-LDH nanosheets enable high-performance bifunctionality towards both electrocatalytic HER and OER in alkaline solution

Exploring highly active and cost-effective metal-based overall water splitting catalysts are crucial for the large-scale conversion of sustainable electrical energy to fuels, feedstocks and green economy. Here, a nickel foam-supported electrocatalyst consisting of a one-dimensional Co3O4 nanowire and two-dimensional NiFe-LDH nanosheets is reported. The optimized Co3O4@NiFe-LDH/NF catalyst affords 79 and 215 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for catalyzing the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction in 1.0 M KOH, which also exhibits quick reaction kinetics and excellent durability. The self-supported electrode only requires 1.58 V to afford 10 mA cm−2 with astonishing stability for water splitting. The linked interfacial nanostructure between NiFe-LDH and Co3O4, which supports the enhancement of the electronic structure and increases catalytic active sites, is primarily responsible for the electrode’s remarkable catalysis performance. The Co3O4@NiFe-LDH/NF as an ideal electrocatalyst lays forth a broad technique for synthesizing electrocatalytic materials for efficient and scalable water splitting.