Nickel–Iron Nitride–Nickel Sulfide Composites for Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysis

Advance applications like water splitting system and rechargeable metal–air battery are highly dependent on efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Heterostructured materials, with a high active surface area and electron effect, accomplish enhanced catalytic performance. Here, a nitride–sulfide composite (FeNi3N-Ni3S2) has been prepared by a simple hydrothermal process coupled with nitridation. The prepared composite electrocatalyst FeNi3N-Ni3S2 possesses lower electron densities compared to those of FeNi3N and Ni3S2, lessening the activation energy (Ea) toward the OER. Consequently, the prepared FeNi3N-Ni3S2 exhibits excellent OER performance with a low overpotential (230 mV) and a small Tafel slope (38 mV dec–1). Highly stable FeNi3N-Ni3S2 composite delivers lower charging voltage and extended lifetime in rechargeable Zn–air battery, compared with IrO2.