The sustainable electrocatalysis of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a critical challenge for advancing green fuel technologies. While noble metal oxides such as IrO₂ and RuO₂ exhibit high activity, their scarcity limits scalability. Earth-abundant alternatives based on Ni and Fe in alkaline media have emerged as promising candidates. However, the dynamic structural changes under OER conditions often obscure the identification of key performance descriptors. This study focuses on Fe–Ni–Zn spinel oxides with well-defined crystal structures to elucidate the fundamental principles governing OER activity. We demonstrate that maximum catalytic performance occurs when Zn is incorporated into the spinel lattice and equimolar 1:1:1 surface sites are formed. These sites facilitate oxygen vacancy formation by enabling a synergistic push-pull electronic effect: Zn, occupying tetrahedral sites, pushes electron density away from the surface, while the octahedral Fe³⁺/Fe⁴⁺ and Ni²⁺/Ni³⁺ redox pairs pull electrons during the reaction.SOX10 Antibody supplier This cooperative electronic tuning lowers the overpotential by stabilizing key intermediates (*OH, *O, *OOH) along the lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM-WNA). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm that this push-pull configuration reduces the activation barrier for O–O bond formation and enhances charge transfer kinetics. Experimental validation via linear sweep voltammetry shows the NiZnFeOn spinel achieves an overpotential of only 325 mV at 10 mA/cm²—comparable to state-of-the-art catalysts like NiFeGaOₙ. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals a lower charge transfer resistance (Rct) and higher capacitance in NiZnFeOn, indicating greater active site density and improved interfacial charge dynamics. Long-term stability tests show minimal degradation over 72 hours, with only ~14% Zn leaching, suggesting structural resilience. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms no morphological or crystalline deterioration post-electrolysis. XPS and ICP-MS analyses further verify chemical stability, with negligible Fe or Ni loss. The findings reveal that optimal OER performance arises not from isolated components but from a cooperative ensemble where each element plays a distinct electronic role: Zn acts as an electron donor (push), while Fe and Ni serve as electron acceptors (pull).HSPA1A Antibody custom synthesis This design principle enables precise control over surface electronic structure, offering a universal strategy for engineering next-generation earth-abundant electrocatalysts.PMID:34643298 The work underscores the importance of both bulk stoichiometry and surface site architecture in achieving high-performance OER materials, paving the way for rational catalyst design through synergistic electronic effects.MedChemExpress (MCE) offers a wide range of high-quality research chemicals and biochemicals (novel life-science reagents, reference compounds and natural compounds) for scientific use. We have professionally experienced and friendly staff to meet your needs. We are a competent and trustworthy partner for your research and scientific projects.Related websites: https://www.medchemexpress.com
