MnOx-decorated MOF-derived nickel–cobalt bimetallic phosphide nanosheet arrays for overall water splitting

Exploring non-noble metal dual-functional electrocatalysts with high activity and stability for water splitting is highly desirable. In this study, using zeolitic imidazolate framework-L (ZIF-L) nanoarrays as the precursor, manganese oxide-decorated porous nickel–cobalt phosphide nanosheet arrays have been prepared on nickel foam (denoted as MnOx/NiCoP/NF) through cation etching, phosphorization and electrodeposition, which are utilized as an efficient dual-functional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting. The hierarchical porous nanosheet arrays provide abundant active sites for the electrochemical process, while the MnOx modification induces strong interfacial interaction, benefiting charge transfer. Thus, the MnOx/NiCoP/NF exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER, overpotential of 93 mV at 10 mA cm−2), oxygen evolution reaction (OER, overpotential of 240 mV at 10 mA cm−2) and overall water splitting (cell voltage of 1.59 V at 10 mA cm−2). Furthermore, it shows superior stability during continuous overall water splitting for 200 h. This work provides a simple and effective approach for developing efficient non-noble metal dual-functional catalysts for overall water splitting.