Hydrothermally fabricated NdTe hollow shells thermally vaporized on Ni foam for water-splitting in alkaline media

Abstract

Electrochemical water-splitting is not sparingly viable due to the slow anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The need to engineer and fabricate electro-catalysts of low over-potential for water oxidation necessitates using readily available technologies and precursors. In the present study, OER electro-catalyst with composition neodymium telluride hollow shells vaporized on Ni Foam (NdTe-HS/NF) is fabricated at a substantially lower energy cost than other abundant metal-containing catalytic structures. The catalytic system functions properly, starting the oxygen evolution process at an over-potential of 301 mV vs. RHE, attaining a current density of 10 mA cm(-2) and a modest Tafel slope of 91 mV dec(-1) is also achieved. This tafel slope value suggests the presence of an electron/proton transfer channel. The catalyst sustains a constant current density over lengthy periods of up to 9 h of water electrolysis testing. Because of an easily accessible production technique, NdTe-HS/NF maintains its integrity, form, and chemical profile even after several hours of nonstop water electrolysis.