Multifunctional solution blow spun NiFe–NiFe2O4 composite nanofibers: Structure, magnetic properties and OER activity

Abstract

Multifunctional nanomaterials are of great technological interest due to a wide range of applications. This study reports the structure, magnetic properties and electrocatalytic activity to oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of NiFe–NiFe2O4 composite nanofibers prepared by solution blow spinning (SBS) with an average diameter of 133.4 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that NiFe alloy crystallites have an average size of 26.3 nm. The magnetization versus temperature (MxT) and magnetization versus magnetic field (MxH) measurements show saturation magnetization of 123 emu g−1 and thermal blocking temperature of 117 K. The MxT measurements show a quick response of the composite sample to magnetic field variations of ±0.3 Oe, indicating that the solution blow spun material has great potential for magnetic sensor applications. From an electrocatalytic point of view, nanofibers show a low overpotential of 316 mV vs RHE at J = 10 mA cm−2, and a significant turnover frequency (TOF) of 4.03 s−1 at only 400 mV. NiFe–NiFe2O4 nanofibers have an excellent chemical stability as revealed by chronopotentiometry analysis along 15 h. These results stand solution blow spun NiFe–NiFe2O4 composite nanofibers in line with the best NiFe-based catalysts reported in the literature.