Electronic structure modulation of nickel hydroxide and tungsten nanoparticles for fast structure transformation and enhanced oxygen evolution reaction activity

The 3d transition metal-based catalysts have emerged as prospective electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) owing to the wide availability of transition metals in the Earth's crust, as well as the low cost and long lifetime of the catalysts. However, their moderate activity for the OER is a challenge for commercial applications. In this study, a heterostructure (W@Ni(OH)₂/CC) composed of Ni(OH)₂ nanosheets and tungsten nanoparticles was successfully synthesized on a conductive carbon cloth to overcome the problem of deficient catalytic activity. The constructed heterointerface and the two-dimensional (2D) nanosheet morphology of the catalyst can accelerate the charge transfer, OER kinetics, and the ion/gas transport. In addition, interfacial electronic structure optimization was investigated to facilitate the formation of oxyhydroxide intermediates on the catalyst surface, which enhances the overall OER performance. This paper provides a thorough explanation on the role of modified electronic configuration in the heterostructures and proposes a new path to synthesize these heterostructures.