Evaluation of electrochemical properties for water splitting by NiO nano-cubes synthesized using Olea ferruginea Royle. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zahra, Taghazal; Ahmad, Khuram Shahzad; Zequine, Camila; Gupta, Ram K.; Guy Thomas, Andrew; Azad Malik, Mohammad
• Is Part Of: Sustainable energy technologies and assessments. Volume 40(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Bio-assisted -- Phyto-compounds -- Nano-cubes -- Electrochemical -- Water splitting -- Linear sweep voltammetry; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Energy development -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Electric power production -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seta.2020.100753
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-1388

Abstract

Abstract: Low-cost and efficient electro-catalysts can play a key role in electro-catalytic water oxidation reaction. Hereinto, highly stable semiconducting nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles were synthesized by a facile, biomimetic and cost effective one pot synthesis route. Nickel (II) acetate tetrahydrate was used as a precursor and medicinal plant Olea ferruginea Royle as a reducing agent. The biosynthesized NiO NPs were scrutinized by UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy UV Vis.), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC–MS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The average particle size of the NiO NPs was 13 ± 1 nm which was calculated by Scherrer equation, with uniform cubic shape. NiO supported on Ni-foam was investigated as an electro-catalyst for water splitting application. The results revealed an over potential of 0.41 V and Tafel slope of 97 mVdec −1 at 10 mA/cm 2 which is comparable to benchmark catalysts. These results suggests that the organic framework derived NiO could be a competitor to the chemically synthesized electrode material that comprises of costly reagents and require advanced synthesis approaches. Thus, in present study we believe that bio-assisted NiO is an efficient electrode material for water splitting studies and could be a sustainable step towards the replacement of noble metal-based electro-catalysts for energy conversion.