Three-Cationic Layered Double Hydroxide Synthesis Using egg Shell for Oxidation of Water and Hydrogen Production

Herein, we report a new simple hydrothermal method to prepare NiCaFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) assembled by nanosheets by using egg shell, nickel nitrate and ferrite nitrate as the starting materials. The phase compositions and morphology of the resulting NiCaFe-LDH are discussed. Then, the Ni2Zn0.5Fe-LDH was used as an efficient electrocatalyst material to fabricate a modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) for water oxidation in neutral media. Moreover, the as-obtained LDH material shows increased electrocatalytic activity and stability toward WOR in neutural media compared with the materials prepared without egg shell precursor. In addition, the electrocatalytic activity is demonstrated to be related to the method of preparation, and the best activity is achieved when the hydrothermal method was used. Furthermore, the NiCaFe-LDH material reported herein might be employed as a promising noble-metal-free water oxidation catalyst to replace the IrOx material water oxidation catalyst.