Sulfurization of bimetallic (Co and Fe) oxide and alloy decorated on multi-walled carbon nanotubes as efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for water splitting

Abstract

The advancement in electrocatalysis, particularly in the development of efficient catalysts for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER), is crucial for sustainable energy generation through processes like overall water splitting. A notable bifunctional electrocatalyst, CoFe2O4/Co7Fe3, has been engineered to facilitate both OER and HER concurrently, aiming to reduce overpotentials. In the pursuit of further enhancing catalytic efficiency, a morphological transformation has been achieved by introducing a sulphur source and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into the catalyst system, resulting in S–CoFe2O4/Co7Fe3/MWCNTs. This modification has significantly improved the activity for both OER and HER. An onset overpotential of 250 mV@10 mAcm−2 for the OER and 270 mV@50 mAcm−2 for the HER, indicating efficient catalytic activity at relatively low overpotentials. S–CoFe2O4/Co7Fe3/MWCNTs display an outstanding long-term stability in alkaline electrolytes, with minimal Tafel slopes of 77 mV/dec for the OER and 70 mV/dec for the HER, suggesting sustained catalytic performance over extended periods. Furthermore, when employed as both the cathode and anode in the context of complete water splitting, S–CoFe2O4/Co7Fe3/MWCNTs demonstrate an impressive cell voltage of 1.52 V at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in a 1 M KOH solution, showcasing its viability for practical applications. Given its cost-effectiveness and superior activity, S–CoFe2O4/Co7Fe3/MWCNTs hold significant promise for widespread applications in overall water splitting electrocatalysis, contributing to the advancement of cleaner and sustainable fuel generation technologies.

Keywords

• OER
• HER
• MWCNTs
• Electrocatalysis
• Water splitting
• Bifunctional electrocatalyst