Facile Synthesis of MnSe/FeSe2 Nanocomposite on Nickel Foam Electrode for Enhanced Water Oxidation

The MnSe/FeSe2 nanocomposite has been made using hydrothermal synthesis. The nanocomposite includes both MnSe and FeSe2 due to an equal molar ratio of Mn and Fe during synthesis, and the FeSe2 can considerably impact its electrocatalytic oxidation. The nanocomposite and the pure materials have been considered using various analytical instruments, and the nanocomposite has an onset potential of 1.511 V versus RHE and a Tafel slope of 43.90 mV dec(-1), which are most suitable for the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The MnSe/FeSe2 electrocatalyst outperforms the commercially available RuO2 catalyst. The efficient interaction of ferrous and manganese in OER electrocatalysis is seen without adding metal ions to the MnSe crystalline structure. Hence, the present composite catalyst is useful for future electrochemical applications.

Automated summary

The MnSe/FeSe2 nanocomposite, consisting of MnSe and FeSe2, was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. The FeSe2 significantly affected the electrocatalytic oxidation, with an equal molar ratio of Mn and Fe during synthesis. The nanocomposite showed an onset potential of 1.511 V versus RHE and a Tafel slope of 43.90 mV dec(-1), making it suitable for electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER). It outperformed the commercially available RuO2 catalyst and demonstrated efficient interaction between ferrous and manganese in OER electrocatalysis without the addition of metal ions to the MnSe crystalline structure. Hence, this composite catalyst holds promise for future electrochemical applications.