Rational Designing of NiO Nanoparticles Anchored with PEG-WO3 for Enhanced Water Oxidation Performance

The electrochemical water splitting method is widely regarded as an efficient and sustainable approach for producing high-purity hydrogen in an environmentally friendly manner. Cost-effective and efficient electrocatalysts are essential for augmenting the electrocatalytic water oxidation reaction. Herein, the PEG-WO₃-NiO electrocatalyst is acknowledged for attaining efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performances in alkaline conditions. The NiO nanoparticles anchored themselves to the PEG-WO₃'s surface and produced an effective interfacial contact between the electrocatalyst materials. Among various compositions, the optimized ratio of the PEG-WO₃-NiO electrocatalyst exhibits a low overpotential of 349.7 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^-2 and a Tafel slope of 71.22 mV dec^-1 for the OER in 1 M KOH. Additionally, the electrocatalyst demonstrates excellent stability, maintaining its performance even after 5000 cyclic voltammetry (CV) cycles and chronopotentiometry analysis. Given its durability and high electrochemically active surface area, the PEG-WO₃-NiO electrocatalyst contributes to the advancement of cost-effective and scalable solutions for water oxidation applications.