Issue

Vol. 17 (2025)

Chemical Fermentation PoreCreation on Multilevel Bio-Carbon Structure with In Situ Ni–Fe Alloy Loading for Superior Oxygen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalysis

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01777-2
Qiaoling Kang
State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Coordination Chemistry Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China
Mengfei Su
State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Coordination Chemistry Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China
Yana Luo
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People’s Republic of China
Ting Wang
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People’s Republic of China
Feng Gao
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People’s Republic of China
Qingyi Lu
State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Coordination Chemistry Institute, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Qingyi Lu

qylu@nju.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 17 (2025), Article Number: 269

Abstract

In the quest for high-efficiency and cost-effective catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), a novel biomass-driven strategy is developed to fabricate a unique one-dimensional rod-arrays@two-dimensional interlaced-sheets (C1D@2D) network. A groundbreaking chemical fermentation (CF) pore-generation mechanism, proposed for the first time for creating nanopores within carbon structures, is based on the optimal balance between gasification and solidification. This mechanism not only results in a distinctive C1D@2D multilevel network with nanoscale, intersecting and freely flowing channels but also introduces a novel concept for in situ, extensive and hierarchical pore formation. The unique architecture, combined with the homogeneous dispersion of Ni–Fe nanoparticles, facilitates easy electrolyte penetration and provides abundant active sites for the anchoring and dispersion of reactive molecules or ions. Consequently, the Ni–Fe@C1D@2D porous network demonstrates an exceptional OER electrocatalytic performance, achieving a record-low overpotential of 165 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and maintaining long-term stability for over 90 h. Theoretical calculations reveal that the porous structure markedly strengthens the interaction between alloy nanoparticles and the carbon matrix, thereby significantly boosting their electrocatalytic activity and stability. These findings unequivocally validate the CF pore-generation mechanism as a powerful and innovative strategy for designing highly efficient functional nanostructures.


Highlights:
1 A groundbreaking chemical fermentation pore-generation mechanism is developed for the first time for creating nanopores within carbon structures to form multilevel porous network based on the optimal balance between gasification and solidification.
2 The Ni–Fe@C1D@2D porous network demonstrates an exceptional oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalytic performance, achieving an ultralow overpotential of 165 mV at 10 mA cm−2 on a non-supported inert electrode and maintaining long-term stability for over 90 h.

Keywords

Ni–Fe alloys Multilevel porous network Chemical fermentation pore creation Ultra-low overpotential Oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalysts
Kang, Qiaoling, Mengfei Su, Yana Luo, Ting Wang, Feng Gao, and Qingyi Lu. 2025. “Chemical Fermentation PoreCreation on Multilevel Bio-Carbon Structure With In Situ Ni–Fe Alloy Loading for Superior Oxygen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalysis”. Nano-Micro Letters 17 (May):269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01777-2.
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX
References
  1. E.T.C. Vogt, B.M. Weckhuysen, The refinery of the future. Nature 629(8011), 295–306 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07322-2
  2. C.A. Mirkin, E.H. Sargent, D.P. Schrag, Energy transition needs new materials. Science 384(6697), 713 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adq3799
  3. P.C. Verpoort, L. Gast, A. Hofmann, F. Ueckerdt, Impact of global heterogeneity of renewable energy supply on heavy industrial production and green value chains. Nat. Energy 9(4), 491–503 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-024-01492-z
  4. B. Chandran, J. K. Oh, S. W. Lee, D. Y. Um, S. U. Kim et al., Solar-driven sustainability: III-V semiconductor for green energy production technologies. Nano-Micro Lett. 16(1), 244 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01412-6
  5. W. Liu, C. Ni, M. Gao, X. Zhao, W. Zhang et al., Metal–organic-framework-based nanoarrays for oxygen evolution electrocatalysis. ACS Nano 17(24), 24564–24592 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.3c09261
  6. H. Yu, A. Díaz, X. Lu, B. Sun, Y. Ding et al., Hydrogen embrittlement as a conspicuous material challenge—comprehensive review and future directions. Chem. Rev. 124(10), 6271–6392 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00624
  7. J. Kang, G. Liu, Q. Hu, Y. Huang, L. M. Liu et al., Parallel nanosheet arrays for industrial oxygen production. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 145(46), 25143–25149 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.3c05688
  8. X. Gao, Y. Chen, Y. Wang, L. Zhao, X. Zhao et al., Next-generation green hydrogen: progress and perspective from electricity, catalyst to electrolyte in electrocatalytic water splitting. Nano-Micro Lett. 16(1), 237 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01424-2
  9. J.R. Esquius, D.J. Morgan, G.A. Siller, D. Gianolio, M. Aramini, L. Lahn, O. Kasian, S.A. Kondrat, R. Schlögl, G.J. Hutchings, R. Arrigo, S.J. Freakley, Lithium-directed transformation of amorphous iridium (Oxy)hydroxides to produce active water oxidation catalysts. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 145(11), 6398–6409 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c13567
  10. Q. Huang, G. J. Xia, B. Huang, D. Xie, J. Wang et al., Activating lattice oxygen by a defect-engineered Fe2O3–CeO2 nano-heterojunction for efficient electrochemical water oxidation. Energy Environ. Sci. 17(14), 5260–5272 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EE01588F
  11. W. Zhang, M. Niu, J. Yu, S. Li, Y. Wang et al., Mechanochemical post-synthesis of metal–organic framework-based pre-electrocatalysts with surface Fe–O–Ni/Co bonding for highly efficient oxygen evolution. Adv. Funct. Mater. 33(37), 2302014 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202302014
  12. H. Zhou, F. Yu, Q. Zhu, J. Sun, F. Qin et al., Water splitting by electrolysis at high current densities under 1.6 volts. Energy Environ. Sci. 11(10), 2858–2864 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EE00927A
  13. F. Yu, H. Zhou, Y. Huang, J. Sun, F. Qin et al., High-performance bifunctional porous non-noble metal phosphide catalyst for overall water splitting. Nat. Commun. 9(1), 2551 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-04746-z
  14. X. Kong, J. Xu, Z. Ju, C. Chen, Durable Ru nanocrystal with HfO2 modification for acidic overall water splitting. Nano-Micro Lett. 16(1), 185 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01384-7
  15. Y. Kim, E. Choi, S. Kim, H. R. Byon, Layered transition metal oxides (LTMO) for oxygen evolution reactions and aqueous Li-ion batteries. Chem. Sci. 14(39), 10644–10663 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1039/d3sc03220e
  16. Y. Xie, Y. Feng, S. Pan, H. Bao, Y. Yu et al., Electrochemical leaching of Ni dopants in IrRu alloy electrocatalyst boosts overall water splitting. Adv. Funct. Mater. 34(41), 2406351 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202406351
  17. Y. Wang, Y. Zhao, L. Liu, W. Qin, S. Liu et al., Mesoporous single crystals with Fe-rich skin for ultralow overpotential in oxygen evolution catalysis. Adv. Mater. 34(20), 2200088 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202200088
  18. J. Liu, L. Wu, D. Chen, Q. Xu, L. Chen et al., Regulation engineering of lignin-derived N-doped carbon-supported FeNi alloy ps towards efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution. Chem. Eng. Sci. 285, 119596 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2023.119596
  19. X. Xu, J. Xie, B. Liu, R. Wang, M. Liu et al., PBA-derived FeCo alloy with core-shell structure embedded in 2D N-doped ultrathin carbon sheets as a bifunctional catalyst for rechargeable Zn-air batteries. Appl. Catal. B Environ. 316, 121687 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.121687
  20. Q. Zhou, C. Xu, J. Hou, W. Ma, T. Jian et al., Duplex interpenetrating-phase FeNiZn and FeNi3 heterostructure with low-Gibbs free energy interface coupling for highly efficient overall water splitting. Nano-Micro Lett. 15(1), 95 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-023-01066-w
  21. Z. Zheng, D. Wu, G. Chen, N. Zhang, H. Wan et al., Microcrystallization and lattice contraction of NiFe LDHs for enhancing water electrocatalytic oxidation. Carbon Energy 4(5), 901–913 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/cey2.215
  22. K. Ding, J. Hu, W. Jin, L. Zhao, Y. Liu et al., Dianion induced electron delocalization of trifunctional electrocatalysts for rechargeable Zn–air batteries and self-powered water splitting. Adv. Funct. Mater. 32(29), 2201944 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202201944
  23. C. Yang, Y. Gao, T. Ma, M. Bai, C. He et al., Metal alloys-structured electrocatalysts: metal–metal interactions, coordination microenvironments, and structural property–reactivity relationships. Adv. Mater. 35(51), 2301836 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202301836
  24. F. Zhou, M. Gan, D. Yan, X. Chen, X. Peng, Hydrogen-rich pyrolysis from Ni-Fe heterometallic schiff base centrosymmetric cluster facilitates NiFe alloy for efficient OER electrocatalysts. Small 19(24), 2208276 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202208276
  25. C. Wang, H. Yang, Y. Zhang, Q. Wang, NiFe alloy nanops with hcp crystal structure stimulate superior oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalytic activity. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 58(18), 6099–6103 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201902446
  26. Y. Liu, L. Zhou, S. Liu, S. Li, J. Zhou et al., Fe, N-inducing interfacial electron redistribution in NiCo spinel on biomass-derived carbon for bi-functional oxygen conversion. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 63(16), e202319983 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202319983
  27. F. Qin, C. Zhang, G. Zeng, D. Huang, X. Tan et al., Lignocellulosic biomass carbonization for biochar production and characterization of biochar reactivity. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 157, 112056 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.112056
  28. X. Luo, P. Ji, P. Wang, X. Tan, L. Chen et al., Spherical Ni3 S2/Fe-NiPx magic cube with ultrahigh water/seawater oxidation efficiency. Adv. Sci. 9(7), e2104846 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202104846
  29. H. Lei, L. Ma, Q. Wan, S. Tan, B. Yang et al., Promoting surface reconstruction of NiFe layered double hydroxide for enhanced oxygen evolution. Adv. Energy Mater. 12(48), 2202522 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202202522
  30. D. Wang, Q. Li, C. Han, Q. Lu, Z. Xing et al., Atomic and electronic modulation of self-supported nickel-vanadium layered double hydroxide to accelerate water splitting kinetics. Nat. Commun. 10(1), 3899 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-11765-x
  31. Y. Luo, L. Tang, U. Khan, Q. Yu, H. M. Cheng et al., Morphology and surface chemistry engineering toward pH-universal catalysts for hydrogen evolution at high current density. Nat. Commun. 10(1), 269 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-07792-9
  32. S. Kandambeth, V.S. Kale, D. Fan, J.A. Bau, P.M. Bhatt et al., Unveiling chemically robust bimetallic squarate-based metal–organic frameworks for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction. Adv. Energy Mater. 13(1), 2202964 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202202964
  33. Y. Zhao, Z. Zhang, L. Liu, Y. Wang, T. Wu et al., S and O co-coordinated Mo single sites in hierarchically porous tubes from sulfur-enamine copolymerization for oxygen reduction and evolution. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 144(45), 20571–20581 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c05247
  34. S. Furukawa, K. Ehara, K. Ozawa, T. Komatsu, A study on the hydrogen activation properties of Ni-based intermetallics: a relationship between reactivity and the electronic state. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 16(37), 19828–19831 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1039/C4CP01514B
  35. Y. S. Wei, L. Sun, M. Wang, J. Hong, L. Zou et al., Fabricating dual-atom iron catalysts for efficient oxygen evolution reaction: a heteroatom modulator approach. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 59(37), 16013–16022 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202007221
  36. N. Yao, G. Wang, H. Jia, J. Yin, H. Cong et al., Intermolecular energy gap-induced formation of high-valent cobalt species in CoOOH surface layer on cobalt sulfides for efficient water oxidation. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 61(28), e202117178 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202117178
  37. K. Ham, S. Hong, S. Kang, K. Cho, J. Lee, Extensive active-site formation in trirutile CoSb2O6 by oxygen vacancy for oxygen evolution reaction in anion exchange membrane water splitting. ACS Energy Lett. 6(2), 364–370 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.0c02359
  38. S. Ding, L. He, L. Fang, Y. Zhu, T. Li et al., Carbon-nanotube-bridging strategy for integrating single Fe atoms and NiCo nanops in a bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst toward high-efficiency and long-life rechargeable zinc–air batteries. Adv. Energy Mater. 12(48), 2202984 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202202984
  39. Y. J. Wu, J. Yang, T. X. Tu, W. Q. Li, P. F. Zhang et al., Evolution of cationic vacancy defects: a motif for surface restructuration of OER precatalyst. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 60(51), 26829–26836 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202112447
Read More
Author biographies are not available.
Download this PDF file
PDF SUPPLEMENTARY FILE
Statistic
Read Counter : 1958 Download : 1465

Most read articles by the same author(s)