Facile synthesis of novel Ag@cerium zirconate heterostructure for efficient oxygen evolution reaction

Electrochemical water splitting is the best option for a clean hydrogen energy carrier to replace the fossil fuels. For this purpose, multifunctional and long lasting electrocatalyst has been developed. This study shows the preparation of Ag@cerium zirconate heterostructure acting as a prospective electrocatalyst for the OER in an alkaline medium. Studied by employing different techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron microscopy. The catalytic activity based on structural properties is due to rapid electron transfer, high electroactive surface area, and efficient chemical coupling among cerium zirconate and silver. Hence, drop costing deposited material on nickel foam (NF) displayed small onset potential (1.48 V), Tafel slope (64 mV dec⁻¹), and overpotential (203 mV), achieving a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² with significantly high stability of 4000 cycles. This work opens the door for effective and durable electrolysis in the alkaline electrolyte; to the best of our knowledge, the is reported for the first time.