Ce doped Ni(OH)2/Ni-MOF nanosheets as an efficient oxygen evolution and urea oxidation reactions electrocatalyst

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are widely recognized as precursors or sacrificial templates for the synthesis of target catalysts on account of their high porosity and high active surface area. Elemental doping strategy is considered as an effective method for the synthesis of efficient and stable catalysts for electrolytic water. Therefore, in this paper, Ce-doped Ni(OH)2 nanoparticles and Ni-MOF nanosheets composites were synthesized by electrodeposition using Ni-MOF as precursor. Catalyst Ce–Ni(OH)2@Ni-MOF/NF displays excellent OER performance, requiring only 193 mV and 279 mV overpotentials to realize current densities of 10 mA cm−2 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively, while the UOR performance was very remarkable, only a potential of 1.28 V was demanded to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2. In addition, no obvious change in the overpotential was noticed during the stability test of 16 h, indicating good stability of Ce–Ni(OH)2@Ni-MOF/NF. This study provides a meaningful reference for the design of an efficient and stable environmental friendly electrocatalyst.