ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Validation of enhanced OER performance of the amorphous Al₂O₃-added Co₃O₄/NiO two-dimensional ternary nanocomposite

P. Sagar, L. Shreenivasa, Asad Syed, Najat Marraiki, and S. Ashoka

Department of Chemistry, School of Engineering, Dayananda Sagar University, Bengaluru, India

E-mail: ashok-chem@dsu.edu.in

Received: 9 July 2021  Accepted: 21 September 2021

Abstract:

The exploration of non-noble metal-based electro-catalysts to catalyze oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is imperative in sustainable energy development technology. Herein, the validation of improved electro-catalytic performance of an amorphous Al₂O₃-added Co₃O₄/NiO nanocomposite toward OER has been reported. Co₃O₄/NiO nanocomposite, 10%, 20% and 40% of amorphous Al₂O₃-added Co₃O₄/NiO nanocomposites were synthesized via a simple nitrate–citrate decomposition method. The experimental results evidenced that the 20% amorphous Al₂O₃-added Co₃O₄/NiO nanocomposite exhibits enhanced OER performance where the current density of 50 mA cm⁻² is achieved at 389 mV, demonstrating 448 mV improvement as compared to the amorphous Al₂O₃ free Co₃O₄/NiO nanocomposite. Double-layer capacitance results reveal that the enhanced OER performance, in case of 20% amorphous Al₂O₃-modified Co₃O₄/NiO nanocomposite, results ~ 3.5 times increased electrochemically active surface area. This work suggests that the addition of optimum amount of amorphous Al₂O₃ to the Co₃O₄/NiO nanocomposite offers an attractive cost-effective catalyst for water-splitting devices.

Keywords: Amorphous Al2O3; Co3O4/NiO nanocomposite; Oxygen evolution reaction; High current density

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-021-01898-z

Chemical Papers 76 (3) 1433–1441 (2022)