J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2026, Vol. 243: 181-191.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2025.03.101

• Research article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Enhanced oxygen evolution reaction activity via multi-channel charge transfer in nitrogen-doped carbon-encapsulated FeNi/Mo2C heterointerfaces with engineered built-in electric fields

Qinghua Suna, Wenju Xiea,b,c, Bai Zhenga, Yikai Xua, Fulin Xiea, Tingfang Tiana, Jie Zhaoa, Yanhe Xiaoa, Shuijin Leia, Baochang Chenga,b,*   

  1. aSchool of Physics and Materials Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China;
    bInstitute for Advanced Study, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China;
    cCollege of Ecology and Resources Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Eco-Industrial Green Technology, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, China
  • Received:2025-01-07 Revised:2025-03-07 Accepted:2025-03-18 Published:2026-02-01 Online:2025-05-26
  • Contact: *E-mail address: bcheng@vip.sina.com (B. Cheng).

Abstract: Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a pivotal half-reaction in electrocatalytic water splitting and metal-air batteries. Non-precious metal heterointerface materials provide significant advantages in enhancing OER activity while reducing costs; however, effective engineering of built-in electric fields (BIEFs) at multi-phase heterointerfaces remains a major challenge. Herein, we report a novel FeNi/Mo2‚C@NC multi-phase heterointerface catalyst synthesized via a low-temperature solution combustion method followed by high-temperature annealing. The catalyst exhibits a heterointerface between FeNi and Mo2C, while nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) coating interacts further with FeNi and Mo2C to form Mott-Schottky heterointerfaces and generate multiple BIEFs that promote charge separation, optimize Fermi levels and fine-tune d-band centers, thereby modifying the adsorption behavior of oxygen-containing intermediates during the OER process. This strategy drives the directional migration of charge carriers along multiple pathways, resulting in rapid charge transfer, enhanced conductivity, and a synergistic improvement in OER performance. The FeNi/Mo2C@NC catalyst shows exceptional OER activity, with a low overpotential of 242 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2, a Tafel slope of 68 mV dec-1 derived from steady-state chronoamperometry testing, and excellent catalytic stability over 200 h. This study underscores the importance of engineering multi-phase heterointerfaces and multiple BIEFs to enhance the OER performance of catalysts.

Key words: Low-temperature solution combustion, Multi-phase heterointerfaces, Carrier migration enhancement, Fermi levels modulation, D-band center tuning