Development of novel CuMnSe2/ppy hybrid structure for enhancing OER electrocatalytic activity in basic environment

Abstract

Hydrogen has garnered a lot of recognition for being clean and sustainable energy source, yet natural gas reformation presently provides the bulk of industrial hydrogen. The creation of effective, affordable, and durable electrocatalysts for the direct synthesis of hydrogen through water with little electrical input is a major goal in large-scale electrolysis. Using earth-abundant electrocatalysts to improve the water oxidation reaction, a critical step toward effective water splitting, is a potential strategy. In order to increase catalytic efficiency, Cu doped manganese diselenide (CuMnSe2) was hydrothermally synthesized and coated onto the conductive polymer polypyrrole (ppy). When ppy was added, CuMnSe2produces a large number of active charge carriers that improved water oxidation reaction. The CuMnSe2/ppy catalyst demonstrated impressive performance for the OER, showing an overpotential of 299 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2(η10), a Tafel slope of 91 mV dec-1, and a charge transfer resistance of 16.76 ω. Rapid charge mobility to the polymer's surface was made possible by the effective charge transfer by the complete dispersion of ppy over CuMnSe2particles. The CuMnSe2/ppy composite is shown in this study to be a very powerful catalyst with a great deal of promise for use in sustainable energy applications in the future. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.