Electrochemical enhancement in coordination-disordered Zr–Fe hydroxide nanosheets

Abstract Zr–Fe hydroxides exhibit diverse morphologies and compositions, and their synthesis outcomes vary significantly based on the Zr:Fe ratio. High-performance electrocatalysts require ultrathin Zr–Fe nanosheets with uniform Zr incorporation and stable surface chemistry, which are difficult to achieve using existing synthesis routes. In this regard, we synthesized Zr–Fe hydroxide nanosheets by systematically varying Zr:Fe ratios using a surfactant-assisted solution method and investigated their structural and compositional characteristics. The morphological and crystallographic features across different precursor ratios were studied using atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy, supported by surface and electronic state analyses. This multimodal characterization revealed that the formation of coordination disorder is strongly dependent on Zr content, with higher Zr proportions promoting vacancy generation. These coordination disorder play a key role in modulating charge transport and enhancing electrochemical activity. Our findings demonstrate that the precise control of the Zr:Fe ratio provides an effective approach for tailoring defect structures and optimizing the electrochemical performance of Zr–Fe hydroxide nanosheets.