Phase pure synthesis of iron-nickel nitride nanoparticles: A low cost electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

Synthesis of mixed transition metal nitrides often leads to the formation of more than one phases in the final product. A control over molar ratio of metals (Fe:Ni) along with synthetic strategy is used to form phase pure product (Fe3Ni7N@C). The synthesized material is used as an efficient and cost-effective electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Fe3Ni7N@C requires a low overpotential of 290 mV to achieve a catalytic current density of 10 mA cm−2 which holds Tafel slope of 40 mV dec−1 superior to the noble metal benchmark catalysts. The physicochemical integrity of Fe3Ni7N@C is maintained up to 12 h activity as evident from post catalytic characterization.