Enhancing the OER Activity of Hybrid CuO/PANI Electrocatalyst Through Organic–Inorganic Interactions

Abstract

The recent study aims to form a cost-effective, efficient, reliable electrocatalyst for electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction to produce green energy. In this context, the design and manipulation of valence states of transition metals provide a viable approach for developing efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reactions. Enhanced valence-metal sites may improve the reaction rates. The physicochemical properties of CuO are altered by incorporating PANI, which has increased valence-metal sites and a porous structure formed by interconnected small nanoparticles. Herein, the design and synthesis of a novel CuO/PANI nanocomposite exhibit significantly enhanced OER electrocatalytic performance and durability. By utilizing the synergistic interplay between CuO nanoparticles and the PANI matrix, we achieve a low overpotential of 209 mV and a Tafel slope (36 mV/dec) at 10 mA/cm² current density (Cd) with excellent stability over 40 h. Our experimental analysis reveals that the PANI matrix is crucial in optimizing CuO’s electronic structure and binding energy, facilitating the OER process. These calculations further elucidate the enhanced OER activity, revealing a reduced energy barrier for water oxidation. This work highlights the potential of CuO/PANI nanocomposites as high-performance electrocatalysts for OER. It paves the way for developing efficient and sustainable energy conversion devices, inspiring future research and innovation in energy storage applications.