MIL-Fe-88 derived α-Fe2O3/C@g-C3N4 ternary composite with boosted electrocatalytic activity: OER stability prediction and forecasting via machine learning

In this study, a new approach was developed for the synthesis of MOF derived; α-Fe₂O₃/C@g-C₃N₄ (FCCN) composite with boosted conductivity for efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The physico-chemical properties of FCCN composite and their counterparts were analyzed by using characterization such as XRD, FT-IR, RAMAN, SEM, TEM, and XPS analyses. The electrochemical oxygen evolution performance of the FCCN composite was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), demonstrating enhanced activity as compared to bare α-Fe₂O₃ and g-C₃N₄. Notably, FCCN achieved a low overpotential (η) of 292 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² and a Tafel slope of 57 mV dec⁻¹, with remarkable stability over 12 h (98 %), reflecting strong OER performance in comparison with other samples. The OER stability of FCCN modelled, predicted and forecasted by machine learning through time series analysis indicated retention in its functionality over next 1700 s. The superior OER activity with high stability of FCCN composite is credited to the excellent synergy between α-Fe₂O₃/C and g-C₃N₄ resulting in high density of surface-active sites and enhanced electrical conductivity.