Chemically Etched Prussian Blue Analog-WS2 Composite as a Precatalyst for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation in Alkaline Media.

Abstract

The electrochemical water-splitting reaction is a promising source of ecofriendly hydrogen fuel. However, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode impedes the overall process due to its four-electron oxidation steps. To address this issue, we developed a highly efficient and cost-effective electrocatalyst by transforming Co-Fe Prussian blue analog nanocubes into hollow nanocages using dimethylformamide as a mild etchant and then anchoring tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanoflowers onto the cages to boost OER efficiency. The resulting hybrid catalyst-derived oxide demonstrated a low overpotential of 290 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 with a Tafel slope of 75 mV dec-1 in 1.0 M KOH and a high faradaic efficiency of 89.4%. These results were achieved through the abundant electrocatalytically active sites, enhanced surface permeability, and high electronic conductivity provided by WS2 nanoflowers and the porous three-dimensional (3D) architecture of the nanocages. Our research work uniquely combines surface etching of Co-Fe PBA with WS2 growth to create a promising OER electrocatalyst. This study provides a potential solution to the challenge of the OER in electrochemical water-splitting, contributing to UN SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy.