Synergistic ZIF-67(Co) anchoring NiAl-LDH nanosheets: Morphology transformation for efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction

Electrocatalytic water splitting is key for sustainable hydrogen production, requiring efficient catalysts. Morphological tailoring represents a promising strategy to optimize electrocatalytic performance by modifying material structures at the nanoscale. This study shows ZIF-67 transformation from nanocubes to rhombic dodecahedra when anchored to 3D NiAl-layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets, enhancing its catalytic properties. The ZIF-67/NiAl-LDH/N composite showcases effective synergy, improving oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance through better electron transfer. The rhombic dodecahedron’s greater surface area increases Co-based active sites, enhancing interaction with reactants. NiAl-LDH intrinsic catalytic properties from nickel further boost ZIF-67 performance. This composite demonstrates impressive durability and OER activity, with low overpotentials of 190 mV at 20 mA cm⁻² and 260 mV at 50 mA cm⁻², alongside a Tafel slope of 48 mV dec⁻¹, indicating suitability for large-scale energy applications.