Over the past decade, layered double hydroxides (LDH) have been the subject of extensive investigations owing to their remarkable water splitting catalytic activity. Stability and porosity are several of the features of LDH which help them to serve as efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts. Based on these considerations, we synthesized NiCo(OH)2 LDH and probed its OER electrocatalytic performance. The synthesized catalyst was subjected to X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for structural analysis and investigation of its surface morphology, surface composition, and oxidation states. The LDH-NiCo(OH)2 was anchored over the FTO surface and the fabricated electrode was found to exhibit a much lower OER onset potential of 265 mV, a much higher current density of 300 mAcm-2 and a smaller Tafel slope of 41 mVdec-1. Moreover, the designed catalyst was found to be stable up to 2500 repeated voltametric scans. These figures of merit regarding the structure and performance of the designed LDH are expected to provide useful insights into the fundamental understanding of the OER catalysts and their mechanisms of action, thus enabling the more rational design of cost effective and highly efficient electrocatalysts for use in water splitting.
Keywords: NiCo(OH)2 layered double hydroxides; current density; electrocatalysis; onset potential; oxygen evolution reaction; stability.