Facile synthesis of transition metal oxide SnO2/MnO2 hierarchical nanostructure: As an efficient electrocatalyst for robust oxygen evolution reaction

One of main areas of the current research into the electrochemical water oxidation mechanism for the production of clean energy is the production of less cost, more efficient, and protracted consistent electrocatalyst. For oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in a basic electrolyte, cost effective metal oxides based have proven more advantageous than other media. As their strong electrical characteristics and the promised synergistic result, the MnO2-based composites are the more appealing components for the water oxidation reaction among these transition metal oxides. This is because the materials' surface properties, will be drastically altered to support electrocatalysis. Herein, we report the synthesis of SnO2/MnO2 nanocomposite via a hydrothermal approach employed toward the OER process using Cu foam as a conductive substrate. The vertically aligned irregularly shaped nanocube tin oxide and nanosphere of manganese oxide are connected to create hierarchical nanostructures. The impact of bimetallic oxide for OER performance has been thoroughly investigated. For OER in alkaline atmosphere, SnO2/MnO2 nanocomposite confirms Tafel slope mechanism of 38.9 mV dec(-1) and less overpotential (eta) of 360 mV @ 10 mA cm(-2). In order to enhance OER commotion, this effort validates the value of nanocrystalline catalysts with logically controlled hierarchical designs.

Automated summary

One of the main areas of current research in electrochemical water oxidation mechanism for clean energy production is the development of a cost-effective, efficient, and durable electrocatalyst. Metal oxides based on MnO2 have proven to be advantageous for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in a basic electrolyte due to their strong electrical characteristics and synergistic effects. In this study, a SnO2/MnO2 nanocomposite was synthesized using a hydrothermal approach and applied to the OER process using Cu foam as a conductive substrate. The nanocomposite exhibited a Tafel slope mechanism of 38.9 mV dec(-1) and a low overpotential (eta) of 360 mV @ 10 mA cm(-2) for OER in alkaline atmosphere. This study validates the value of nanocrystalline catalysts with controlled hierarchical designs for enhancing OER activity.