Double perovskite La2MnCoO6 nanoparticles as promising catalysts for electro-chemical hydrogen evolution reactions

Abstract

Double perovskite La2MnCoO6 (LMCO) nanoparticles have been synthesized by a molten salt method and used as promising catalysts for electro-chemical hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs). An average size of LMCO nanoparticles was estimated approximately 65 nm from electron microscopy. LMCO nanoparticles crystallize in a monoclinic structure (space group of P21/n). The refined lattice constants of “a” = 5.5038(2) Å, “b” = 5.4462(4) Å, “c” = 7.7547(4) Å, and “β” = 90.050(3)°. LMCO nanoparticles exhibit promising catalytic performances for electro-chemical HERs with a low Tafel slope value (190 mV/dec). The onset over-potential for HERs was found to be approximately 120 mV, which is in good agreement with the reported onset over-potentials of other electro-catalysts for HER. The stability tests confirm that the electrode materials are stable and efficient electro-catalysts for HERs. This is noteworthy that the double perovskites are recognized as promising alternates for precious electro-catalysts.