Electrochemical fabrication of FeSx films with high catalytic activity for oxygen evolution

Abstract

Electrochemical decomposition of water to produce oxygen (O₂) and hydrogen (H₂) through an anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and a cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a promising green method for sustainable energy supply. Here, we demonstrate that cauliflower-like S-doped iron microsphere films are materials that can efficiently decompose water as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction. FeS_x films are prepared by a simple one-step electrodeposition method and directly grow on copper foam from a deep eutectic solvent, ethaline (mixture of choline chloride and ethylene glycol), as a durable and highly efficient catalyst for the OER in 1.0 M KOH. The prepared FeS_x/CF, as an oxygen-evolving anode, shows remarkable catalytic performance toward the OER with a moderate Tafel slope of 105 mV dec⁻¹, and require an overpotential of only 340 mV to drive a geometrical catalytic current density of 10 mA cm⁻². In addition, this catalyst also demonstrates strong long-term electrochemical durability. This study provides a simple synthesis route for practical applications of limited transition metal nano catalysts.