Scalable synthesis of MOF-derived Nd₂O₃@C and V₂O₅@C nanohybrid: Efficient electrocatalyst for OER in alkaline medium

Craving to search for renewable energy reservoirs for the development of green and robust electrocatalysts, now become essential for catalytic performance by using energy conversion devices. Herein, we fabricated a metal–organic framework (MOF) derived transition metal and rare earth metal oxides-based materials for water electrocatalysis. MOF is regarded as the potential hotspot to increase catalytic activity through fascinating chemical and structural traits. This study summarizes the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of MOF-derived Nd₂O₃@C and V₂O₅@C by depositing them on stainless steel substrate (SS) in an alkaline medium. The grown electrocatalysts Nd₂O₃, V₂O₅, Nd-MOF, V-MOF, and MOF-derived Nd₂O₃@C and V₂O₅@C probed by various useful techniques to confirm oxidation states, phase-changing, structural, morphological, and compositional properties. The MOF-derived Nd₂O₃@C and V₂O₅@C formed irregular spherical shaped and nanorod-like morphology, respectively, which proved helpful for the easy transfer of electrons to enhance OER. The electrochemical study indicates that among all electrocatalysts, the V₂O₅@C electrode exhibits remarkable electrochemical results having low overpotential (282 mV), and smaller Tafel slope of 60 mVdec^-1 at a current density of 10 mAcm⁻², exhibiting that the transition metal based MOF has good efficiency as compared to the rare earth metal MOF. The grown catalysts enable additional reaction sites and open up new channels, besides it approaches quick electron transfer in V₂O₅@C through a carbon bridge. Thus, the porous skeleton of the resulting hybrid catalyst showed superior electrical conductivity, boosting electrochemical properties and making it an efficient and durable electrocatalyst for industrial-scale water electrolysis.