Nano-hybridization of VS with Ni Fe layered double hydroxides for efficient oxygen evolution in alkaline media

Developing low-cost and high performance catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a vital way to promote the effective cost and industrial applications of water splitting. In this work, we synthesize the hierarchical structure of NiFe(OH)x/VS/NF nanosheets using vanadium sulfide (VS) layer coating on the nickel foam (NF) as substrate. VS on the surface of NF can make effect on the distribution and morphology of NiFe(OH)x. The vertical NiFe(OH)x nanosheets supported VS/NF can not only provide abundant active sites for OER but also have the advantages of excellent conductivity substrate. The three dimensional skeleton structure of NF can also faster oxygen diffusion process, which suggests outstanding electrocatalytic activity in alkaline medium. Employing it for water splitting with a current density of 200 mA cm−2 is achievable at a low voltage of 1.506 V vs. RHE with remarkable long-term stability. Moreover, the synergistic hybridization of layered VS/NF with layered double hydroxides (LDH) materials enlightens the design and fabrication of promising hybrid materials. This work may offer a viable route to design the advanced electrode materials for OER electrocatalysts.