(187a) Dopant Modulated, Surface Restructured NixCo1-XSy Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Condition

The search of efficient and stable electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline electrolytes is the key to enable the commercialization of alkaline electrolyzers and lower hydrogen production price. However, there is a trade-off relation between the activity and stability of electrocatalysts due to the highly oxidative condition of OER, which induces the surface restructuring for electrocatalysts. Our recent work show that by modulating the composition of electrocatalysts for (Co, Ni)S_y anchored on carbon nanofibers, we can control the stability of electrocatalysts and optimize their activity in alkaline OER. Using electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy characterizations including X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we reveal the restructuring mechanism, which can help us break down the activity-stability trade-off relation to design and scale up such electrocatalysts for commercial applications.