SrZrO3 Cube-Decorated PbS Nanoflowers as Robust Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

Shrinkage of reservoirs of fossil fuels has already created an alarming situation in the energy sector, and the side products produced during their burning affect the environment adversely. Therefore, it is a need of time to replace fossil fuels with any other source with huge reservoirs. Herein, we fabricated a PbS/SrZrO3 nanocomposite, exhibiting promising oxygen evolution reaction activity. The synthesized samples were characterized by various techniques to confirm the material phase, morphology, surface area, composition, and oxidation states. As a result, it displays a very promising overpotential of 228 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm2, a lower Tafel slope of 64 mV/dec, a higher turnover frequency of 1.45 s–1, an electrochemically active surface area of 280 cm2/g, and high stability up to 24 h, in contrast to the most advanced noble metal electrocatalysts Pt, oxides of Ir and Ru, and their constituents. High activity and low cost make this material one of the best to endeavor in the field of water splitting.