Solvothermally designed Pr-MOF/Fe₂O₃ based nanocomposites for efficient electrocatalytic water splitting

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Meeting global energy demands requires advanced renewable fuel generation technologies.
• The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial for efficient hydrogen production.
• Developing effective electrocatalysts is essential for improving OER performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the electrocatalytic activity of Pr-MOF, Fe2O3, and Pr-MOF/Fe2O3 for the oxygen evolution reaction.
• To evaluate the potential of rare earth metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) combined with iron oxide for energy applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of Pr-MOF, Fe2O3, and Pr-MOF/Fe2O3 nanomaterials.
• Electrochemical testing of the materials for OER performance in alkaline solution.
• Analysis of electrochemical surface area and catalytic efficiency.

Main Results:

• Pr-MOF/Fe2O3 exhibited exceptional electrocatalytic activity for OER.
• Achieved an overpotential of 238 mV at 10 mA cm-2 with a low Tafel slope of 37 mV dec-1.
• Demonstrated a significantly higher electrochemical surface area (237 cm2) compared to individual components.

Conclusions:

• The Pr-MOF/Fe2O3 composite shows enhanced OER performance due to its increased surface area and synergistic effects.
• This study provides a foundation for utilizing rare earth MOF-based nanomaterials in electrochemical energy applications.
• The findings highlight a promising pathway for developing efficient catalysts for hydrogen generation.