Synthesis and catalytic properties of Ni-doped NdFeO3

Abstract

The study aims to develop efficient and durable electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) to address the issue of energy shortage and environmental pollution. The perovskite NdFe1-xNixO3 was synthesized via the sol–gel method and assessed for its electrocatalytic activity towards OER. The prepared catalysts were characterized using various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical methods such as linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and chronopotentiometry. The results showed that the NdFe1-xNixO3 compounds calcined at 800 °C had a pure orthorhombic crystal structure throughout the entire substitution range, with a nearly spherical morphology. The average sizes of crystallites have been estimated to be 19–24 ± 0.5 nm. Notably, the NdFe0.8Ni0.2O3 electrode demonstrated superior electroactivity, exhibiting the lowest over potential (310 mV versus RHE) needed to attain a current density of 10 mA.cm−2, the lowest Tafel slope 149 mV.dec-1, and good stability during 60 h. These findings provide valuable elucidations into the advancement and design high-performance electrocatalysts for sustainable energy conversion and storage applications.