Tubular Carbon Nanofibers with MnCr_2-xRh_xO₄ Nanostructures Driven by Electrospinning and Its Application for Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalysis

As a result of development based on fossil fuels to this day, various environmental problems are being highlighted as a side effect. As part of the solution, one of the notable methods is the development of hydrogen energy through water decomposition. The OER, one of the half reactions of water splitting, does not occur thermodynamically well, so a catalyst to activate it is needed. Precious metals such as Ru, Ir, and Rh used as existing catalysts are expensive due to their scarcity. Therefore, it is essential to develop a cheaper and more efficient catalyst that can replace them.<br/>We introduce facile synthesis of MnCr_2-xRh_xO₄ nanostructures<b> </b>on carbon nanofiber (CNF) driven by electrospinning process. We expect that the partial introduction of Rh³⁺ ions into spinel B sites instead of Cr³⁺ ions could effectively perturb the electronic structure of the original MnCr₂O₄ nanostructures, resulting in the enhancement of the electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction with beneficial effects of a high conductivity and specific surface area of CNF backbone. In this study, the shapes and compositions for MnCr_2-xRh_xO₄ nanostructures on carbon nanofiber (CNF) in various synthetic conditions are carefully confirmed using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscope (EDS), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, electrochemical performances for MnCr_2-xRh_xO₄ nanostructures<b> </b>on carbon nanofiber (CNF) are performed to explore the electrocatalytic activity of oxygen evolution reaction reaction.