Regulation mechanism and application of elemental doping in NiFe-based electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

NiFe-based electrocatalysts are promising for green hydrogen production due to their low cost, high elemental abundance, and excellent intrinsic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity. However, their industrial implementation remains hindered by insufficient activity, poor stability, low conductivity, and alkaline corrosion. Among many improvement strategies, elemental doping has emerged as an effective optimization strategy, but its mechanism remains unclear. In response to these problems, we systematically summarize the regulation mechanism and application of elemental doping in NiFe-based electrocatalysts. The alkaline OER catalytic mechanism and doping-enhanced activity principles are outlined. Subsequently, the regulation mechanism of elemental doping in NiFe-based electrocatalysts is analyzed from multiple dimensions including metal element doping, nonmetallic element doping, and dual or multiple doping. Finally, the discussion is extended from laboratory research to applications in seawater electrolysis and industrial electrolyzers, providing guidance and reference for advancing scalable hydrogen production technologies.