NiO/Porous Reduced Graphene Oxide as Active Hybrid Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

At present, the graphene hybrid as electrode material demonstrates the efficient performance for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). OER influences some important renewable clean energy technologies such as water splitting. In this study, a highly active matrix based on NiO and porous reduced graphene oxide (NiO-prGO) nanocomposite was prepared by simple and efficient electrochemical routine and characterised, which presents good performance for OER. The superior electrochemical performance of prGO nanosheets might be attributed to their high surface area, which could efficiently accelerate rate of the whole electrochemical reaction and improve the catalytic activity for OER in alkaline solution. NiO-prGO modified carbon paste electrode (NiO-prGO/CPE) exhibits more negative onset potential and high current density in NaOH 0.1 M compared to NiO-reduced graphene oxide modified CPE (NiO-rGO/CPE), NiO-graphene oxide modified CPE (NiO-GO/CPE) and NiO modified CPE (NiO/CPE), which indicates pores can significantly enhance NiO loading and the OER performance. The electro-catalytic activity and stability of the catalysts were evaluated by linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry, showing that the NiO on prGO was beneficial for both OER activity and stability. This report affords a hybrid electro-catalyst, which can be applied to energy conversion storage processes.