Sol–gel synthesis and electrocatalytic performance of magnesium-doped LaFeO3 for oxygen evolution reaction
摘要
This study focuses on the development of highly efficient and durable electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), aiming to address the challenges of energy scarcity and environmental pollution. Perovskite-type LaFe1−xMgxO3 was elaborated using the sol–gel route and evaluated for its electrocatalytic performance in OER. The structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of the synthesized catalysts were investigated using a range of analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Additionally, electrochemical performance was assessed through linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), Tafel slope, and chronopotentiometry. The characterization results revealed that LaFe1−xMgxO3 calcined at 750 °C exhibited a pure cubic crystal structure across the entire substitution range, with a nearly spherical morphology. The estimated average crystallite sizes ranged from 28.01 ± 0.5 to 20.01 ± 0.5 nm. Among the synthesized materials, the LaFe0.8Mg0.2O3 electrode demonstrated the highest electrocatalytic activity, characterized by a low overpotential of 322.48 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, a lowest Tafel slope of 172 mV dec−1, and excellent stability over 30 h of operation. These findings contribute valuable insights into the development and design of high-performance electrocatalysts, offering promising prospects for sustainable energy conversion and storage applications.