Nanoparticles of Mixed-Valence Oxides MnXCO3-XO4 (0 ≤ X ≤ 1) Obtained with Agar-Agar from Red Algae (Rhodophyta) for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

The development of efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of paramount importance in sustainable water-splitting technology for hydrogen production. In this context, this work reports mixed-valence oxide samples of the MnXCo3-XO4 type (0 ≤ X ≤ 1) synthesized for the first time by the proteic sol-gel method using Agar-Agar as a polymerizing agent. The powders were calcined at 1173 K, characterized by FESEM, XRD, RAMAN, UV–Vis, FT-IR, VSM, and XPS analyses, and were investigated as electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Through XRD analysis, it was observed that the pure cubic phase was obtained for all samples. The presence of Co3+, Co2+, Mn2+, Mn3+, and Mn4+ was confirmed by X-ray spectroscopy (XPS). Regarding the magnetic measurements, a paramagnetic behavior at 300 K was observed for all samples. As far as OER is concerned, it was investigated in an alkaline medium, where the best overpotential of 299 mV vs. RHE was observed for the sample (MnCo2O4), which is a lower value than those of noble metal electrocatalysts in the literature, together with a Tafel slope of 52 mV dec−1, and excellent electrochemical stability for 15 h. Therefore, the green synthesis method presented in this work showed great potential for obtaining electrocatalysts used in the oxygen evolution reaction for water splitting.