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Discharge‐Induced Enhancement of the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Author(s) -
Hao Jinhui,
Luo Wei,
Wang Shuaishuai,
Zhao Kun,
Hou Jianwen,
Li Longhua,
Ge Baoxin,
Yang Wenshu,
Shi Weidong
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.202108770
Subject(s) - heteroatom , oxygen evolution , electrochemistry , nickel , oxygen , nitrogen , current (fluid) , current density , materials science , doping , in situ , electrode , chemistry , nanotechnology , chemical physics , metallurgy , optoelectronics , thermodynamics , ring (chemistry) , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
The fundamental understanding of the surface reconstruction induced by the applied potential is of great significance for enhancing the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here, we show that a previously overlooked discharge current in the low applied potential region also leads to in situ electrochemical activation of a nitrogen‐doped nickel oxyhydroxide surface. We exploit the fact that doping of heteroatoms weakens the surface structure, and hence, a weak discharge current originating from the capacitive nature of nickel oxyhydroxide has a strong structure‐reforming ability to promote the formation of nitrogen and oxygen vacancies. The current density at 1.4 V (vs. Hg/HgO) can dramatically increase by as much as 31.3 % after discharge in the low applied potential region. This work provides insight into in situ enhancement of the OER and suggests that the low applied potential region must be a primary consideration in evaluating the origin of the activity of electrocatalysts.