Synthesis of bimetal-decorated N-doped carbon nanoparticles for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

Electrochemical hydrogen generation from the most plausible splitting water is severely hindered by OER (oxygen evolution reaction). Hence, the Fe4Co6@NDC amorphous sheet-like lamellar potential electrocatalyst prepared through simple solvothermal synthesis towards OER with low overpotential 307 mV @ 10 mA cm−2, Tafel slope of −55 mV dec-1 and turnover frequency of 0.0396 s−1, compared to 393 mV, Tafel slope of −81 mV dec-1, and a turnover frequency of 0.0136 s−1 at an IrO2 on an inert glassy carbon electrode, under the same conditions in 1 M KOH. The iron: cobalt adjacent ratio (4:6) could give a cooperative synergistic effect for OER, further nitrogen-doped carbon substrate (NDC) offers even metal anchoring sites has provided higher ECSA of 10.202 cm2 and also provides low resistive (5.6 Ω) material. Full cell water splitting Fe4Co6@NDC/NF (anode)//PtC/NF (cathode) with cell potential 1.58 V and the same setup will be used with perennial solar energy source only consumes 1.57 V enhanced hydrogen generation. We anticipate that the developed Fe4Co6@NDC electrocatalyst will be used as a formidable OER catalyst for a clean electrochemical energy conversion process.