Plasma-constructed cerium-doped porous phosphide network for accelerating oxygen evolution kinetics

Designing efficient catalysts rationally is key to overcoming the slow kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). By P-H 2 -Ar plasma, we design and synthesize a self-supporting carbon-coated electrode, in which Ce-doped phosphide with a 3D porous nanosheet array network is grown on a nickel foam (CeNiFeP/NF). The bract-like structure facilitates mass transfer kinetics during the catalytic process, significantly increasing the catalyst’s surface area in contact with water and facilitating the quick release of generated oxygen bubbles. Ce improves the intrinsic catalytic activity by regulating spatial charge redistribution at Ni and Fe sites. Leveraging the strong synergetic electronic interaction, the thus-prepared CeNiFeP/NF electrode delivers outstanding OER performance (250 mV and 100 mA cm[Formula: see text]), along with efficient water electrolysis (1.58V and 100 mA cm[Formula: see text]). Thanks to its exceptional corrosion resistance and hydrophilic surface, it is well-suited for seawater splitting. CeNiFeP/NF electrode achieves 100 mA cm[Formula: see text] at 1.65 V and exhibits robust durability for 100 h.