Perovskite-type samarium iron oxide adorned on reduced graphene oxide composite: A high-performance electrocatalyst for OER

• Published in: Diamond and related materials 2024-05, Vol.145, p.111072, Article 111072
• Main Authors: Fatima, Arooj, Alyousef, Haifa A., Alrowaily, Albandari W., Alotaibi, B.M., Dahshan, A., Henaish, A.M.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkaline solution; Oxygen evolution reaction; Perovskite; SmFeO3/rGO nanohybrid; Sonication technique
• ISSN: 0925-9635; 1879-0062
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2024.111072

The oxygen evolution process (OER), an essential and necessary reaction in water splitting to produce clean hydrogen fuel were investigated using a number of electrocatalysts. Non-noble metal catalysts are increasingly being used in place of noble metal catalysts because of their unique qualities, which include affordability, environmental friendliness and electrocatalytic activity. In this work, SmFeO3/rGO composite is prepared for an anion exchange reaction, which is used as catalyst on nickel foam in 1.00 M KOH electrolyte for OER. The fabricated electrocatalysts were confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The BET determined surface area of SmFeO3/rGO composite is 51 cm2/g which is better for OER activity. The distinct structure of the nanocomposite displays increased surface area, increasing active sites with plentiful potential for charge transfer and prolonging the material's life. The electrochemical results represented that composite had lower overpotential (180 mV) with Tafel slope (34 mV/dec), displaying higher charge transfer during OER showing efficient electrocatalytic activity and high reliability of 55h. The reasons for lower overpotential and lower Tafel slope values were increased surface area and enhanced number of active spots in composite and also due to presence of non-kinetic effects that alter the Tafel slope values. The electrocatalyst may be able to facilitate the oxidation reaction based on all of these qualities. As a consequence, created composite reacts with outstanding efficacy for the OER process and energy conversion applications. [Display omitted] •SmFeO3/rGO composite was successfully fabricated by Sonication technique for OER.•The Bruner–Emmett–Teller (BET) results showed large number of active pores and big surface area (51 cm2/g).•The electrochemical testing of nanocomposite was performed via using 1.0 M KOH alkaline medium in 3 electrode system.•The electrocatalytic results showed that SmFeO3/rGO composite possessed Overpotential 180 mV and Tafel slope 34 mV/dec.•SmFeO3/rGO composite possessed efficient reliability for 55 h at current density of 10 mA/cm2.