An efficient Fe2Se3/Fe2O3 heterostructure electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

In this study, novel iron-based electrocatalysts, including Fe2Se3, Fe2O3, and Fe2Se3/Fe2O3 heterostructures, have been developed to bring down overpotential in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Among these, the Fe2Se3/ Fe2O3 heterostructure emerges as a highly promising electrocatalyst for OER, offering exceptional efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and minimal overpotential. The Fe2Se3/Fe2O3 electrocatalyst exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance, with a remarkable onset potential of 1.31 V (vs. RHE) and a minimum 160 mV overpotential at 20 mA/cm2 for OER. Notably, this prepared electrocatalyst demonstrates the lowest overpotential when compared to benchmark Fe-based OER electrocatalysts. Furthermore, during controlled potential electrolysis at 1.65 V (vs. RHE), the electrocatalyst maintains a stable current density of 65 mA/cm2, highlighting its impressive electrochemical robustness. The hydrothermal synthesis method used for the synthesis of Fe2Se3, Fe2O3, and their heterostructure is particularly very simple and straightforward. Which making them excellent candidates for water splitting applications, particularly in OER. These significant achievements accomplished through the utilization of non-precious metal electrocatalysts, open up new possibilities for practical OER implementations. Undoubtedly, these findings will greatly benefit the scientific community in the development of efficient electrocatalysts using non-noble metals for the electrochemical water splitting process.