Activation of lattice oxygen by loading NiFeP nanoparticles on nitrogen-doped porous carbon to enhance OER activity

The construction of efficient and cost-effective OER electrocatalysts is important for promoting hydrogen production by electrolysis of water. Nitrogen-doped 3D porous carbon materials are prepared by ammonia annealing. Subsequently, NiFeP nanoparticles are loaded on the nitrogen-doped carbon materials to form NiFeP/NC hybrids. Electrochemical tests in alkaline electrolytes show that the overpotential of NiFeP/NC is 241 mV at 10 mA cm −2 . Experiments illustrate that NiFeP/NC follows the LOM pathway for the oxygen evolution reaction. This work provides new ideas for developing high-performance carbon-based OER catalysts based on the LOM pathway, which has great potential for application in the catalytic field. • Synthesis of nitrogen-doped three-dimensional porous carbon by annealing in an ammonia atmosphere. • NiFeP/NC has a low overpotential of 241 mV at 10 mA cm -2 and follows the LOM pathway for the oxygen evolution reaction.