Self-supported and integrated Co3Al-layered bimetallic hydroxide nanoribbons on nickel foam enable efficient electrocatalytic water decomposition

The key to water decomposition in green hydrogen production is an electrode with high catalytic activity and stability. In this paper, a highly efficient integrated Ni/Co 3 Al-LDH/NF nanoribbon electrocatalyst was synthesized using a one-step hydrothermal strategy for total hydrolysis. Ni/Co 3 Al-LDH/NF exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performance in OER with a low overpotential (346 mV at 100 mA·cm −2 current output) and a small Tafel slope (38 mV·dec −1 ). In HER overpotential of 164 mV at 10 mA·cm −2 and a Tafel slope of 101 mV·dec −1 with excellent durability. The increase in activity can be attributed to the synergistic effect between the fine-tuning of the electronic structure provided by the nanoribbons and the electrochemically active surface provided by in situ growth. • Co 3 Al-LDH/NF nanoribbons were synthesized on NF by a one-step hydrothermal method. • The interaction between NF and Co 3 Al-LDH prevented the separation of active sites. • The direct construction of the integrated electrode improves the stability and activity of the catalysts. • No other processes or binders are required, leaving the active sites fully exposed.