Metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived bimetallic (Ni, Cu) Oxide@C electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

Efficient and cost-effective catalysts are important for the advancement of sustainable energy storage and conversion technologies using oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this study, a bimetallic oxide of nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) embedded in carbon (denoted as (Ni, Cu)O@C) nanocomposite was synthesized via carbonization of bimetallic metal-organic framework (MOF) and applied as an efficient and durable oxygen-evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalyst for alkaline water splitting. The (Ni, Cu)O@C catalyst achieved an overpotential of 330 mV@ current density of 10 mA cm⁻², significantly outperforming the CuO@C catalyst (425 mV). The catalyst also exhibited a small Tafel slope of 72 mV dec⁻¹. Furthermore, the catalyst offered a turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.39 mol O₂ s⁻¹ at an overpotential of 400 mV. Importantly, the (Ni, Cu)O@C catalyst demonstrated exceptional stability, maintaining performance over 24 h in alkaline conditions. These results highlight the potential of the (Ni, Cu)O@C nanocomposite as a high-performance and durable OER electrocatalyst for hydrogen production through water electrolysis.