Cu-based nanocatalyst by pulsed laser ablation in liquid for water splitting: Effect of the solvent

• Published in: The Journal of physics and chemistry of solids Vol. 193; p. 112162
• Main Authors: Lo Pò, Cristiano, Ruffino, Francesco, Terrasi, Antonio, Bruno, Elena, Reitano, Riccardo, Grimaldi, Maria Grazia, Boscarino, Stefano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2024
• Subjects: Copper; HER; Hydrogen; Nanoparticles; OER; Water splitting; Nanoparticles; Water splitting; HER; Copper; Hydrogen; OER
• ISSN: 0022-3697; 1879-2553
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2024.112162

Hydrogen (HER) and Oxygen (OER) evolution reactions play a fundamental role in the field of green and environmental sustainability, because they are key reactions for water electrolysis. In this work copper (Cu) nanoparticles (NPs) are produced by pulsed laser ablation in liquid from a copper target in the framework of developing a low-cost, earth abundant and non-pollutant electrocatalyst. Various solvent and energy fluence are explored. Electrodes have been realized by drop-casting Cu NPs onto Nickel foam (NF) substrate, with a catalyst loading in the order of some μg/cm2. Electrochemical measurements have performed at room temperature in alkaline ambient and a three-electrode setup. The catalytic activity of the NPs is relevant already at 10mA/cm2 and the improvement with respect to the bare substrate become more evident at higher current densities. The ultra-low amount of the catalyst material makes these electrodes competitive in terms of mass activity compared to the state of the art. •Copper nanoparticles as electrocatalyst for water splitting.•Mass activity in the order of μg/cm2.•The performance comparison of the proposed material (Cu) with the state-of-the-art material is competitive in terms of overpotential.