Lycium ruthenicum stem extract mediated green synthesis of MnO2/Mn3(PO4)2 composite nanowire electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

A composite of manganese oxide (MnO _2 ) and Mn _3 (PO _4 ) _2 decorated nanowires (MnO _2 /Mn _3 (PO _4 ) _2 ) was prepared using Lycium ruthenicum stem-extract mediated green synthesis. This composite material functions as an efficient and long-lasting electrocatalyst for water-splitting reactions, which could significantly improve the performance of oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The OER activity of MnO _2 /Mn _3 (PO _4 ) _2 -based nanowires is boosted by blending with a conducting support, such as manganese oxide (MnO _2 ). The x-ray diffraction pattern and Fourier transform infrared data indicate that the nanowires are highly crystalline. The MnO _2 /Mn _3 (PO _4 ) _2 composite material demonstrates superior stability compared to its individual constituents and generates a current density of 10 mA cm ^−2 at a low overpotential of 244 mV for OER in alkaline media. This research may lead to the development of MnO _2 /Mn _3 (PO _4 ) _2 composite materials as electrocatalysts for overall water-splitting reactions.

Keywords

• lycium ruthenicum
• MnO2/Mn3
• nanowires
• composite
• oxygen evolution reaction (OER)