Exploring hydrogen evolution in perovskite LaFeO3 and composites with spinel ferrite CoFe2O4

Most of the world's hydrogen is now being produced by the gasification of coal and steam methane that produces hazardous gases like CO2, CO, etc. To find the green solution for hydrogen generation, the present work deals with the synthesis of eco-friendly catalyst based on perovskite oxides LaFeO3 (LFO) and spinel oxide CoFe2O4 (CFO) composites to drive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The effect of magnetic character on hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity has been evaluated in 0.5 M H2SO4. The composite samples show high catalytic activity with low onset potentials. They Tafel slope values at 10 mA/cm(2) for LFO and LFO- CFO composites with 70:30 and 60:40 ratio are found to be 37.38, 41.74 and 77.14 mV dec(-1). LFO shows efficient hydrogen production at small value of overpotential at a higher kinetic reaction rate. EIS reveals the kinetics of the catalyst with respect to the Tafel slope values. The anisotropy constant for LFO-CFO (60/40) sample is obtained to be 86 times higher than LFO. Thus, presented work provides not only an opportunity to better understand the catalytic mechanism, but also a guide HER activity through magnetic-compound.