A low molecular weight iron metallogel as an OER catalyst

Abstract

Metallogels (MOGs), a fascinating class of soft materials, have received significant attention recently due to their unique properties and versatile applications. An intriguing method has been utilized for the synthesis of a stimuli-responsive Fe-MOG having a flower-like morphology, utilizing 2-amino terephthalic acid as the gelator in N, N −dimethylformamide solvent. The morphology of the gel was determined by various microscopic techniques, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The mechanical properties of the as-synthesized Fe-MOG metallogels were assessed through rheological studies. Several analytical methods, including fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and MALDI-TOF, provided insights into the chemical composition, bonding configurations, and structural characterization of the Fe-MOG. The Fe-MOG addresses the ongoing challenge of developing a durable and economically viable electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The OER activity of the dry form of the gel under alkaline conditions has been carefully evaluated. The dry gel requires an overpotential of only 380 mV to deliver 100 mA cm^–2. Moreover, the Fe-MOG catalysts maintained consistent performance throughout a stability test spanning 2000 cycles. This novel approach provides a cost-effective solution for designing OER electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity and outstanding stability.