“Rust to Riches”: Harnessing iron-oxide-Zr MOF hybrid composite for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction under low pH

Energy consumption has become a critical global challenge, demanding innovative and sustainable solutions. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for efficient and durable electrocatalyst synthesis that can replace expensive noble metal-based catalysts for water-splitting reactions. In this con...

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Main Authors: Sobhna Acharya, Harshita Bagdwal, Ritu Ladhi, Monika Singh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIP Publishing LLC 2025-05-01
Series:APL Materials
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0253779
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author Sobhna Acharya
Harshita Bagdwal
Ritu Ladhi
Monika Singh
author_facet Sobhna Acharya
Harshita Bagdwal
Ritu Ladhi
Monika Singh
author_sort Sobhna Acharya
collection DOAJ
description Energy consumption has become a critical global challenge, demanding innovative and sustainable solutions. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for efficient and durable electrocatalyst synthesis that can replace expensive noble metal-based catalysts for water-splitting reactions. In this context, we have successfully synthesized a composite material combining a Zr-based metal–organic framework (MOF), UIO-66-NH2, with Fe2O3 derived from rust—a discarded waste material. The synergistic interaction between MOF and Fe2O3 enhances the catalytic performance by effectively combining the structural advantages of the MOF with the active sites provided by Fe2O3. The results indicated that the composite was active with an overpotential of 209 mV at 10 mA/cm2 compared to the pristine MOF. Moreover, the composite demonstrated long-term durability for more than 9 h under harsh acidic conditions, outperforming many conventional catalysts in terms of stability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. By transforming waste materials into high-performance composites, this work presents a sustainable approach to addressing the energy crisis, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to meet the growing energy demands.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2166-532X
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher AIP Publishing LLC
record_format Article
series APL Materials
spelling doaj-art-e6a856a8a08241e19746b63aaa4119672025-08-20T02:09:58ZengAIP Publishing LLCAPL Materials2166-532X2025-05-01135051102051102-810.1063/5.0253779“Rust to Riches”: Harnessing iron-oxide-Zr MOF hybrid composite for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction under low pHSobhna Acharya0Harshita Bagdwal1Ritu Ladhi2Monika Singh3Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, IndiaInstitute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, IndiaInstitute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, IndiaInstitute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector-81, Mohali 140306, Punjab, IndiaEnergy consumption has become a critical global challenge, demanding innovative and sustainable solutions. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for efficient and durable electrocatalyst synthesis that can replace expensive noble metal-based catalysts for water-splitting reactions. In this context, we have successfully synthesized a composite material combining a Zr-based metal–organic framework (MOF), UIO-66-NH2, with Fe2O3 derived from rust—a discarded waste material. The synergistic interaction between MOF and Fe2O3 enhances the catalytic performance by effectively combining the structural advantages of the MOF with the active sites provided by Fe2O3. The results indicated that the composite was active with an overpotential of 209 mV at 10 mA/cm2 compared to the pristine MOF. Moreover, the composite demonstrated long-term durability for more than 9 h under harsh acidic conditions, outperforming many conventional catalysts in terms of stability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. By transforming waste materials into high-performance composites, this work presents a sustainable approach to addressing the energy crisis, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to meet the growing energy demands.http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0253779
spellingShingle Sobhna Acharya
Harshita Bagdwal
Ritu Ladhi
Monika Singh
“Rust to Riches”: Harnessing iron-oxide-Zr MOF hybrid composite for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction under low pH
APL Materials
title “Rust to Riches”: Harnessing iron-oxide-Zr MOF hybrid composite for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction under low pH
title_full “Rust to Riches”: Harnessing iron-oxide-Zr MOF hybrid composite for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction under low pH
title_fullStr “Rust to Riches”: Harnessing iron-oxide-Zr MOF hybrid composite for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction under low pH
title_full_unstemmed “Rust to Riches”: Harnessing iron-oxide-Zr MOF hybrid composite for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction under low pH
title_short “Rust to Riches”: Harnessing iron-oxide-Zr MOF hybrid composite for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction under low pH
title_sort rust to riches harnessing iron oxide zr mof hybrid composite for enhanced oxygen evolution reaction under low ph
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0253779
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AT harshitabagdwal rusttorichesharnessingironoxidezrmofhybridcompositeforenhancedoxygenevolutionreactionunderlowph
AT rituladhi rusttorichesharnessingironoxidezrmofhybridcompositeforenhancedoxygenevolutionreactionunderlowph
AT monikasingh rusttorichesharnessingironoxidezrmofhybridcompositeforenhancedoxygenevolutionreactionunderlowph