Low-Temperature controlled synthesis of nanocast mixed metal oxide spinels for enhanced OER activity

Guggenberger P, Priamushko T, Patil P, Florek J, Garstenauer D, Mautner A, Won Shin J, Ryoo R, Pichler CM, Kleitz F (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Elsevier

Book Volume: 661

Pages Range: 574-587

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.01.056

Abstract

The controlled cation substitution is an effective strategy for optimizing the density of states and enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of transition metal oxide catalysts for water splitting. However, achieving tailored mesoporosity while maintaining elemental homogeneity and phase purity remains a significant challenge, especially when aiming for complex multi-metal oxides. In this study, we utilized a one-step impregnation nanocasting method for synthesizing mesoporous Mn-, Fe-, and Ni-substituted cobalt spinel oxide (Mn0.1Fe0.1Ni0.3Co2.5O4, MFNCO) and demonstrate the benefits of low-temperature calcination within a semi-sealed container at 150–200 °C. The comprehensive discussion of calcination temperature effects on porosity, particle size, surface chemistry and catalytic performance for the alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER) highlights the importance of humidity, which was modulated by a pre-drying step. The catalyst calcined at 170 °C exhibited the lowest overpotential (335 mV at 10 mA cm−2), highest current density (433 mA cm−2 at 1.7 V vs. RHE, reversible hydrogen electrode) and further displayed excellent stability over 22 h (at 10 mA cm−2). Furthermore, we successfully adapted this method to utilize cheap, commercially available silica gel as a hard template, yielding comparable OER performance. Our results represent a significant progress in the cost-efficient large-scale preparation of complex multi-metal oxides for catalytic applications.

Involved external institutions

Universität Wien / University of Vienna AT Austria (AT) Kompetenzzentrum für elektrochemische Oberflächentechnologie / Competence Centre for Electrochemical Surface Technology (CEST) AT Austria (AT) Institute for Basic Science KR Korea, Republic of (KR) Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH) KR Korea, Republic of (KR)

How to cite

APA:

Guggenberger, P., Priamushko, T., Patil, P., Florek, J., Garstenauer, D., Mautner, A.,... Kleitz, F. (2024). Low-Temperature controlled synthesis of nanocast mixed metal oxide spinels for enhanced OER activity. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 661, 574-587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2024.01.056

MLA:

Guggenberger, Patrick, et al. "Low-Temperature controlled synthesis of nanocast mixed metal oxide spinels for enhanced OER activity." Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 661 (2024): 574-587.

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