Convenient construction of electrocatalysts via combustion-assisted corrosion engineering for efficient water oxidation.

Developing an efficient strategy for the universal synthesis of electrocatalysts is crucial for advancing the industrialization of water splitting, yet it remains a significant challenge. In this study, we propose combustion-assisted corrosion engineering as a rapid method to fabricate electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) within seconds. By utilizing a three-dimensional framework composed of nickel foam and the unique structure of the active species, we enable swift electrolyte diffusion and gas release. Consequently, the optimized S–NiO/NF exhibits remarkable OER catalytic activity, requiring a low overpotential of 236 mV to achieve a current density of 50 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH solution. Notably, the reconfiguration during the OER process leads to the formation of actual catalytic active species, enhancing the number of active centers and thereby improving the catalyst's performance. This research presents a versatile method for industrially fabricating non-noble metal self-supporting electrodes with high efficiency, offering a practical solution for energy conversion and storage. • Combustion-assisted corrosion engineering is characterized by convenience, fast, low cost as well as generality. • Reconstruction of heterogeneous constructs provides additional active sites. • S–NiO/NF requires only 236 mV to achieve a current density of 50 mA cm−2 in 1 M KOH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]