Non-Precious Metal Anode ‘NiCo-LDH@Mo2CTx/NF’ Achieves 393 mV Overpotential at 100 mA cm–2 for High-Efficiency Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis

August 17, 2026

The Royal Society of Chemistry UK

Overview

This study developed a hybrid electrode, ‘NiCo-LDH@Mo2CTx/NF,’ as a highly efficient non-precious metal anode for anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis, combining conductive MXene (Mo2CTx) with NiCo-LDH nanosheets. Exfoliation expanded MXene’s interlayer spacing, providing a uniform growth platform for NiCo-LDH and enhancing electron transport. This electrode showed excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance in 1.0 M KOH, achieving overpotentials of 324 mV at 10 mA cm–2 and 393 mV at 100 mA cm–2, contributing to efficient green hydrogen production.

In Depth

Key Findings

This research reports the development of ‘NiCo-LDH@Mo2CTx/NF,’ a hybrid electrode designed as a highly efficient non-precious metal anode for anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis. This innovative electrode combines conductive exfoliated Mo2CTx MXene with NiCo-LDH (nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide) nanosheets. The electrode demonstrated outstanding oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance in a 1.0 M KOH solution, achieving high current densities with overpotentials of just 324 mV at 10 mA cm–2 and 393 mV at 100 mA cm–2. This marks a significant step towards sustainable and efficient green hydrogen production without reliance on expensive noble metal catalysts.

Technical Details

The key to the electrode’s design lies in the utilization of exfoliated Mo2CTx MXene. By exfoliating MXene, its interlayer spacing is effectively expanded, providing an ideal conductive platform for the uniform growth of NiCo-LDH nanosheets. This intricate composite structure combines the high electrical conductivity of MXene with the abundant OER active sites of LDH, significantly enhancing electron transfer and charge transport at the catalytic interface. The high OER performance of the NiCo-LDH@Mo2CTx/NF electrode is attributed to the large surface area and porous structure provided by MXene, which allows for efficient diffusion of reactants and products, while maximizing the catalytic activity of NiCo-LDH. This improves the OER reaction rate and reduces overpotential. An overpotential of 393 mV at 100 mA cm–2 indicates excellent performance for practical application in large-scale electrolyzers.

Background and Industry Context

Water electrolysis for green hydrogen production is crucial for achieving a decarbonized society, but its cost and energy efficiency remain challenges. Specifically, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water electrolysis is a major factor limiting the overall system energy efficiency due to its slow reaction kinetics and high overpotential requirements. Currently, highly active OER catalysts often include noble metals such as Ir (iridium) and Ru (ruthenium). However, these materials are scarce and expensive, making the development of non-precious metal catalysts an urgent priority. MXene, with its excellent conductivity and tunable surface chemistry, is a promising material to enhance the performance of non-precious metal catalysts. This research targets AEM water electrolysis, a more efficient and cost-competitive hydrogen production technology.

Strategic Significance and Outlook

The development of the NiCo-LDH@Mo2CTx/NF hybrid electrode significantly advances the commercialization of AEM water electrolysis technology using non-precious metal catalysts. The substantial improvement in OER performance will enhance the energy efficiency of hydrogen production and reduce operational costs. Future research will focus on the long-term stability, durability, and performance maintenance at even higher current densities for this catalyst. Additionally, this MXene-LDH compositing strategy is expected to find applications in other electrochemical reactions, such as the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). If commercialized, this technology is anticipated to expand the supply of green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, thereby accelerating the transition to a sustainable energy system. This achievement serves as a concrete example of how nanomaterials are driving the energy revolution.

Source: https://pubs.rsc.org/fd/article/doi/10.1039/d6fd00075d/1223315

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