An efficient and durable bifunctional electrocatalyst based on PdO and Co2FeO4 for HER and OER

Abstract

The adoption of effective, minimal, and versatile electrocatalysts for water splitting to generate hydrogen fuels is of critical importance. The bulk of newly described materials have considerable onset potential, but their electrocatalytic activity is limited by weak electrical conductivity and a limited range of catalytic sites. The combination of a few precious metals added with transition metal-based compounds is a novel and captivating approach. Herein, cobalt ferrite oxide (Co2FeO4) @ palladium oxide (PdO) nanostructures have been prepared through the combined use of hydrothermal and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation techniques. For hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics, the modified composition offers a high concentration of active sites, improved electrical conductivity, and stability. The Co, Fe, and Pd ions at the composite system's interface may affect the adsorption energy of reaction intermediates synergistically, enabling the process to continue with less potential. The electrocatalyst Co2FeO4@PdO demonstrates an excellent bifunctional approach to electrochemical water splitting (EWS) for HER and OER in alkaline medium. As-prepared electrocatalyst shows an overpotential value of 269 and 259 mV for HER and OER at 10 and 20 mA/cm2 current densities respectively. The low charge transfer resistance values such as 72.2 and 62.4 Ω and durability for 48 h has been observed toward HER and OER, support this material as an efficient and durable electrocatalyst for energy conversion systems.