Ag‐Nanoparticle‐Anchored rGO‐Coated MIL‐88B(Fe) Hybrids as Robust Electrocatalysts for the Highly Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction at Neutral pH

Abstract

Abstract The design of highly efficient, robust, and stable electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains a crucial challenge for the advancement of a number of renewable energy applications, including conversion and storage technology. Here, a robust water oxidation catalyst, Ag‐nanoparticle‐anchored reduced graphene oxide (rGO)‐coated MIL‐88B(Fe) hybrids (AgNPs@rGO/MIL‐88B(Fe)), is developedfor a highelectrocatalytic performance in the OER. Initially, MIL‐88B(Fe) is synthesized through an in situ process in exfoliated graphene oxide dispersion, forming a GO‐coated MIL‐88B(Fe) hybrid. Ag nanoparticles (ca. 3 nm) are then deposited through simultaneous reduction of silver ions and GO to form a robust AgNPs@rGO/MIL‐88B(Fe) combined catalyst. The new catalyst material was tested for the OER and exhibited remarkable catalytic performance, affording a current density of 1 mA cm −2 at a very low overpotential of approximately 395 mV in buffered solution (pH∼7). Furthermore, the sustained catalyst stability with Tafel slopes of 60 mV dec −1 is one of the best electrocatalytic performances reported at neutral pH.