Hierarchiral 4-tetranitro copper(II)phthalocyanine based metal organic framework hybrid composite with improved electrocatalytic efficiency towards hydrogen evolution reaction

Publication date: December 2019Source: Results in Physics, Volume 15Author(s): Gobeng Release Monama, Mpitloane Joseph Hato, Kabelo Edmond Ramohlola, Thabiso Carol Maponya, Siyabonga Beizel Mdluli, Kerileng Mildred Molapo, Kwena Desmond Modibane, Emmanuel I. Iwuoha, Katlego Makgopa, Malesela Daniel TeffuAbstractA novel hybrid-hybrid nanocomposite based on 4-tetranitro copper(II)phthalocyanine (TNCuPc) grown on metal organic frameworks (MOF) as a noble metal-free catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was developed by a simple impregnation method. The structure, surface area and the morphology of the bare MOF, TNCuPc and the TNCuPc/MOF composite were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmet-Teller, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and simultaneous thermal analysis. The electrocatalytic activity of the samples towards the HER was evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry, exchange current density, i0, Tafel slope value, b, as well as charge transfer coefficient, α. The spectroscopic analyses indicated a successful synthesis of TNCuPc and its composite. The morphological results showed the development of rod-like structures of TNCuPc on the surface of the MOF. The composite exhibited an onset potential of about −0.713 V vs. Ag/AgCl in 0.1 M TBAP/DMSO and 0.3 M H2SO4 solutions, which is 44 mV and 9 mV mor...
Source: Results in Physics - Category: Physics Source Type: research