Design of cerium dioxide anchored in cobalt-iron layered double hydroxide hollow polyhedra via an ion exchange strategy for the oxygen evolution reaction.

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is hindered by slow kinetics due to its four-electron process, limiting overall efficiency. The rational design of metal-organic framework (MOF)-based nanomaterials is crucial for enhancing the oxygen production rate. Using a straightforward strategy, we synthesized cobalt-iron layered double hydroxide (CoFe-LDH) hollow polyhedra loaded with CeO, with zeolite imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) serving as the precursor. The CoFe-LDH/CeO composite demonstrates outstanding OER performance, including a lower overpotential (315 mV) at 10 mA cm, a smaller Tafel slope (49.53 mV dec), and remarkable stability. The high OER activity of CoFe-LDH/CeO is attributed to the electron transition of CeO within the CoFe-LDH carrier layer, which enhances electron interactions with the CoFe-LDH hollow polyhedra and promotes the catalytic reaction. Leveraging the excellent catalytic properties of CoFe-LDH/CeO, this study offers a promising approach for developing green, cost-effective, and efficient electrocatalysts.