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Recent development and expansion in electrochemical water splitting processes have driven the research community to explore an efficient, economical and eco-friendly electrocatalyst. Within this domain, the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) presents a notable challenge due to its inherent inefficiency arising from a sluggish four-electron transfer process. In the present study, we investigated a hydrothermal technique for synthesizing an electrocatalyst featuring MnO-embedded CoFe2O4 spinel oxide, which is firmly anchored onto a nickel foam (NF) substrate. The electrocatalyst demonstrated impressive performance, exhibiting exceptional stability over an 82-h endurance test. A significantly smaller overpotential was required for OER, achieving a notable decrease of 179 mV. Furthermore, it displayed a Tafel value of approximately 68 mV dec−1 at current density of 10 mA cm−2 for OER, underscoring its exceptional electrocatalytic performance. In light of these compelling findings, the current research has introduced a feasible, environmentally friendly, and potentially high-impact strategy towards the development of cost-effective transition metal-based catalysts, highly suitable for use as electrodes in electrochemical water splitting applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalytic water splitting is an essential hydrogen production method for resolving present energy shortage and progress toward more efficient technologies. For this purpose, a versatile and cheap electrocatalysts are the main challenge along the way. In this report, we synthesized vanadium telluride and carbon nanotube (VTe–CNT)‐based nanocomposite via facile hydrothermal route. The VTe–CNTs are characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller. These characterizations depict nanosphere structures, morphology, and high surface area that maintains high porosity, which are essential for inclusive water‐splitting phenomena in 1.0 M solution of KOH. Additionally, the electrochemical performance of VTe–CNTs has shown best O2 evolution reactions activity with of onset potential of 1.42 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode and required 10 mA/cm2 of current density at 278 mV overpotential, which is excellent among other electrocatalysts, VTe (342 mV@10 mA/cm−2) and CNTs (365 mV@10mA/cm−2). Moreover, VTe–CNT exhibits remarkable stability for almost 20 h. It also requires a low onset potential of 0.05 V with a small Tafel slope of 47 mV/dec for H2 evolution reactions. Hence, this research might facilitate the easy transportation of electrons and open up the new era, serving as an excellent replacement for noble metal–derived materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the water-splitting process, it is essential to improve the search for low-cost, highly active materials that can catalyze the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Based on this, the current work suggests a unique method for creating g-C3N4/CdS nanocomposite. The g-C3N4/CdS nanocomposite loaded on nickel foam (NF) required overpotential of 279.6 mV for the OER, which is higher than overpotentials required by g-C3N4 and CdS for attaining desired standard current density of 10 mA cm−2 under the same circumstances. Findings elucidate high activity of composite material through increased active sites with ECSA of 130 cm2, very low charge-transfer resistance Rct value of 2.5 (Ω) and decreased tafel slope value of 44.5 mV dec−1. All these factors are accountable for the improved OER activity and faster reaction kinetics. The material was characterized through XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDS, and XPS techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schematic illustration of OER mechanism using MnTe based MnO electrocatalyst. [Display omitted] • Synthesis of novel MnTe@MnO nanostructures via reduction reaction. • MnTe@MnO nanostructures shows good morphology with enhanced surface area. • MnTe@MnO nanostructures shows lower Tafe slope of 39 mV/dec and smaller overpotential of 208 mV for OER. • The scalable MnTe@MnO nanostructures shows robust stability for 30 h for commercial applications. Individuals experiencing poverty and possessing limited financial resources are particularly susceptible to impacts of climate change and rising costs associated with fossil fuels. In response to this pressing issue, researchers are actively investigating water oxidation as a sustainable solution to mitigate the challenges posed by climate changes and energy crisis. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which plays a pivotal role in water electrolysis, necessitates the utilization of highly stable and efficient electrode materials to overcome its intrinsic sluggish kinetics and enhance the overall efficiency of the electrochemical device. This investigation employed a reduction method to synthesize manganese oxide (MnO) nanoparticles, using manganese telluride (MnTe) as the base material, yielding a MnTe@MnO nanocomposite. This innovative composite was subsequently immobilized onto a nickel foam (NF) substrate. Remarkably, the MnTe@MnO nanocomposite exhibited exceptional OER performance in a 1.0 M alkaline solution, manifesting an impressively low overpotential of 208 mV at a benchmark current density of 10 mA cm−2. This overpotential significantly surpassed that of the individual MnTe and MnO electrode materials, underscoring the synergistic advantages of the MnTe@MnO nanocomposite. Further analysis revealed a notably shallow Tafel slope of 39 mV dec-1, indicative of the enhanced reaction kinetics and electrocatalytic efficiency inherent to the MnTe@MnO nanocomposite. Moreover, the durability assessment over a span of 30 h demonstrated minimal current loss, emphasizing the substantial electrocatalytic active surface area of the fabricated nanocomposite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]