@article{Wang2026, 
author = {Xiaojun Wang and Huilin Zhao and Xiaorui Zhang and Lei Li and Weiping Xiao and Qi Wu and Lei Wang and Zexing Wu},
title = {Strain-engineered interfacial water reorganization enables boosted HER/OER via intermediate adsorption modulation},
year = {2026},
journal = {Nano Research Energy},
volume = {5},
pages = {e9120238},
keywords = {strain engineering, bifunctional electrocatalysts, intermediate adsorption, hydrogen bond network},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/NRE.2026.9120238},
doi = {10.26599/NRE.2026.9120238},
abstract = {Developing cost-effective and high-performance bifunctional electrocatalysts is crucial for addressing the kinetic limitations of water electrolysis. Here, we successfully fabricate strained phosphorus-doped nickel-iron oxide on iron foam (P-NiFe2O4/IF) via simple corrosion-annealing coupling strategy. In situ Raman and electrochemical analyses reveal that the tensile lattice strain induced by P doping reorganizes the interfacial hydrogen-bond network and enhances its connectivity, accelerating proton transfer and deprotonation processes. Combined with theoretical calculations, it is confirmed that strain regulation effectively modulates the adsorption of *OH/*H, avoiding the *OH poisoning and poor deprotonation. In addition, the strain effect promotes surface reconstruction to generate active phases. Benefiting from the above advantages, P-NiFe2O4/IF exhibits excellent bifunctional electrocatalytic activity. A two-electrode electrolyzer constructed with P-NiFe2O4/IF requires only 1.45 V to reach 10 mA·cm–2 and maintains outstanding operational durability even under high current conditions. This research sheds light on fabricating efficient and robust bifunctional electrocatalysts for water-splitting by regulating interfacial water and intermediate adsorption via strain engineering.}
}