Nano-assembly hierarchical Fe-Ni-Se/Cu(OH)2 with induced interface engineering as highly efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

Developing novel electrocatalysts with both high efficiency and low cost are highly imperative for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this work, the hierarchical Fe-Ni-Se/Cu(OH)(2)/CF with core-shell structural nanorod arrays were fabricated via the facile electrodeposition treatment after the self-supported anodization of copper foam (CF). The as-prepared catalytic electrode presents prominent OER performance with the low overpotential of 272 mV at the current density of 100 mA cm-2 and behaves the impressive durability for almost 58 h, outperforming most of the previously reported electrocatalysts. The obtained excellent activity could be ascribed to the unique hierarchical structure composed of the Fe-Ni-Se shell with superb conductivity and the Cu(OH)(2) nanorods core, which could establish the synergistic effect in the interface engineering and further increase electron transfer rate. Moreover, it is identified that the catalyst experienced the reconstruction of phases and microstructure during the OER operation. The produced oxygen vacancies and fluffy ultrathin nanosheets are beneficial to the reduction of reaction kinetics as well as the expose of active sites. Our study may pave the way to design noble-metal-free catalyst with rational structure and remarkable activity for water splitting in the future.