Development of high-efficiency OER catalysts using YRO@MoS2 composite for enhanced energy conversion and storage

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2025-01, Vol.626, p.235788, Article 235788
• Main Authors: Lee, Subin, Kim, Jooheon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0378-7753
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2024.235788

The growing importance of eco-friendly energy technologies is driven by the goal of achieving carbon neutrality. One of the main challenges to the commercialization of metal-air batteries is the slow kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this study, a highly efficient OER catalyst was developed by combining Y2Ru2O7 (YRO) pyrochlore oxide with MoS2 nanoflowers, forming a YRO@MoS2 composite catalyst. The catalyst, synthesized via ultrasonic treatment, exhibited excellent electrical conductivity due to the high surface area of MoS2 nanoflowers and the abundance of oxygen vacancies in YRO. Raman and XPS analyses confirmed the increased presence of oxygen vacancies. Electrochemical experiments showed that the YRO@MoS2 catalyst has a low overpotential (221 mV at 10 mA cm−2) and a low Tafel slope (46.18 mV dec−1), maintaining superior performance even during long-term stability tests. This enhanced performance is attributed to the high surface area of MoS2, the porous structure of YRO, and the strong electronic interaction between the two materials. This study presents a novel approach to designing high-performance OER catalysts, which is expected to significantly advance the development of iridium-substitute catalysts for energy conversion and storage systems, contributing to the commercialization of eco-friendly energy technologies. [Display omitted] •Ultrasonically synthesized YRO@MoS2 catalyst shows excellent OER activity.•Raman and XPS confirm increased oxygen vacancies, enhancing catalytic activity.•Low overpotential (221 mV) and Tafel slope (46.18 mV dec−1) observed.•EIS shows enhanced electrical conductivity with smallest semicircle.