Mesoporous graphene-supported nanostructured nickel telluride for efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

The electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) imposes significant constraints on the operational overpotential of electrochemical energy devices, such as water electrolyzers, metal-air batteries, and fuel cells. However, the sluggish kinetics of OER reactions hinder these applications, which has prompted efforts to design more effective electrocatalysts. In this study, we have synthesized NiTe via in-situ growth into mesoporous graphene (MG), with varying nominal weight percentages (5- wt%, 10- wt%, and 15- wt%) of NiTe. The resulting NiTe/MG nanohybrids displayed hexagonally structured NiTe nanoparticles with a predominant (101) surface that promotes the OER kinetics. The wrinkled 3D mesoporous graphene scaffold facilitated the attachment and dispersion of NiTe particles of nanoscale on its surface, preventing their agglomeration. The porous characteristics of the MG significantly increased the high surface area of the NiTe/MG nanohybrids (583-671 m(2) g(-1)), promoting enhanced accessibility of active sites and mass transport beneficial for the OER. Moreover, the altered electronic structure of the NiTe in the MG nanohybrid indicates enhancing O-2 desorption during the OER. The optimized composition of the 10 wt% NiTe-loaded MG nanohybrid electrocatalyst demonstrates superior OER activity compared to other nanohybrids. It exhibits a small overpotential of 250 mV at 10 mA cm(-2), a low Tafel slope of 63 mV dec(-1) and maintained stability in 1 M KOH (pH = 14) as the electrolyte for a prolonged period. This enhanced OER activity is ascribed to the synergistic effect of MG's high conductivity and the improved intrinsic activity of NiTe within the nanohybrid structure.