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Mechanistic insights into the hydrogel-supported catalyst for superior oxygen evolution performance
Citation
Wei, Y., Xu, L., Shi, K., Gong, H., Hu, J., Zhang, X., Pan, M., & Ang, E. H. (2025). Mechanistic insights into the hydrogel-supported catalyst for superior oxygen evolution performance. Chemical Engineering Journal, 506, Article 160021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.160021
Author
Wei, Yuxuan
•
Xu, Lingling
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Shi, Kefan
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Gong, Hanwen
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Hu, Jiaming
•
Zhang, Xianghao
•
Pan, Meilan
•
Abstract
The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a crucial process in renewable energy technologies, yet it remains hindered by sluggish reaction kinetics, high overpotentials, and poor electron and ion transfer. This study introduces a novel hydrogel-supported electrocatalyst, HFc-NG@PVA, which combines hydrazinocarbonylferrocene-modified nitrogen-doped graphene (HFc-NG) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to enhance OER performance. HFc-NG@PVA exhibited a low overpotential (η10 = 310 mV) and a small Tafel slope (49 mV dec−1), outperforming conventional carbon-based electrodes and approaching the performance of IrO2. Additionally, the hydrogels exhibit excellent mechanical strength, elasticity, and durability, maintaining stable OER performance over 24 h. Mechanistic studies, including density functional theory (DFT) and COMSOL simulation, reveal that the HFc-NG facilitates electron transfer through redox-active HFc, while PVA, a hydrogel, improves ion conduction, hydration, and mechanical support. The integration of HFc-NG into the PVA matrix not only boosts the mechanical and electrochemical properties of the hydrogel but also enhances the stability of the active sites, enabling more efficient OER. The unique hydrogen-bonding network between HFc-NG and PVA further lowers the activation energy for OER, contributing to its superior catalytic efficiency. This work highlights the potential of hydrogel-supported catalysts as promising candidates for efficient, stable, and cost-effective electrocatalysis in energy conversion systems.
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal
Chemical Engineering Journal
Project
RP 1/22 EAH
RI 1/21 EAH
Grant ID
22106139
RF-A2022009
Funding Agency
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Basic Scientific Research Projects in Colleges and Universities funded by Zhejiang Province
Ministry of Education, Singapore
National Institute of Education, Singapore