Facile synthesis of IrO2 nanoparticles decorated @ WO3 as mixed oxide composite for outperformed oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts play the critical role in efficiency and durability for different hydrogen production systems. We have successfully synthesized the earth abundant WO3 coupled with IrO2 as mixed oxide composite by a facile two-step chemical method. 50% reduction in noble metal contents (IW-50) followed by two times enhancement in activity, four-folds increase in bulk mass specific activity along with the stability of mixed oxide composite as compared to state –of –the art IrO2 catalyst are affirmed. Superior performance of mixed oxide composites are perceived due to four times increase in electrochemical surface area, reduction of Tafel slope, four-fold increase of turn over frequency, electronic distortion in Ir-4f spectrum of IW-50 along with the bridging of lattice oxygen atoms between iridium and tungsten metals. We believe that it would open up the new avenues for effective utilization of noble metal with high valence tungsten metal in corrosive environment.