MnCo2O4 Nanostructure Anchored on Functionalized Carbon Black for the Enhanced Bifunctional Electrocatalytic Performance of OER and HER

Abstract

The electrocatalytic oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions (OER and HER) are key processes used in energy storage and conversion. We have developed a highly efficient MnCo₂O₄ nanostructure anchored with functionalized carbon black (MnCo₂O₄/f-CB), which has been characterized by XRD, FT-IR, Raman spectra, FE-SEM, and HR-TEM analyses as robust bifunctional electrocatalysts for both HER and OER. At a characteristic 10 mA cm⁻² current density, the MnCo₂O₄/f-CB composite ECs exhibit low overpotentials of 330 mV for OER and 360 mV for HER, respectively. Furthermore, the MnCo₂O₄/f-CB composite ECs exhibit superior current density, the shortest Tafel slope, and admirable durable stability in OER and HER together. Due to the supported f-CB, the MnCo₂O₄ composite catalyst has more active sites, effective charge transfer, and longer durability. A high-efficiency dual electrocatalyst can be developed from these highly efficient and dual ECs, which are comparable to standard noble metal–based catalysts. The synergetic coupling effects of high-activity f-CB and MnCo₂O₄ composites with appropriate morphologies are critical factors for the enhanced catalytic performances of the MnCo₂O₄/f-CB composite.