Heterostructures Formed by MOF In Situ Transformed NiFe-LDH and NiS Nanosheets for Efficient Water Splitting

Hydrogen production through water splitting is acknowledged as a viable solution to address environmental degradation and energy scarcity. The advancement of efficient catalysts based on transition metals holds significant importance in advancing the widespread and sustainable utilization of hydrogen energy. This study presents the utilization of NiS@NiFe-LDH heterostructured nanosheet arrays on nickel foam (NF) as electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Initially, NiS was electrodeposited onto NF to enhance its stability, followed by the introduction of in situ transformed NiFe-LDH from the MOF to establish a coupled heterostructure interface, thereby enhancing conductivity and activity. The heterostructure, comprising NiS and NiFe-LDH, provided a higher number of active sites. Furthermore, the 3D laminated nanosheet arrays facilitated electrolyte diffusion and efficient release of bubbles, ensuring rapid electron transfer and robust electrochemical stability. These attributes resulted in excellent OER performance in alkaline conditions, with an overpotential of 204 mV at 50 mA cm–2, along with exceptional durability. This investigation introduces an approach for the development of highly active nonprecious metal catalysts for water splitting.