Abstract:
The tuned crystal structure and electrical properties of metal alloy nanoparticles can vary their catalytic capabilities. In the present study, hexagonal close-packed (hcp) ZnCo nanoalloy enclosed in N-doped carbon (hcp-ZnCo@NC) are created using a simple fabrication approach and are characterized via various com-plementary techniques. The fabricated hcp-ZnCo@NC shows remarkable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance in alkaline conditions (1 M KOH). The synthesized hcp-ZnCo@NC with Zn/Co ratio of approximate to 1:1 exhibits overpotentials of 282 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 with a smaller tafel slope of 51.9 mV dec-1, and good stability of 30 h. These characteristics of the present material are better when compared with the state of the art. The enhanced efficiency of the hcp-ZnCo@NC is because of its favorable electron transfer characteristics and high conductivity. Hence, this study offers a new perception for future appli-cations due to the unique crystal phase-linked electrical properties.(c) 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V.