THE ACTIVITY-DURABILITY PARADIGM IN OER CATALYSIS: A COMPARATIVE REVIEW OF RUO₂ AND CO₃O₄-ZNO FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

Abstract

The research was carried out to investigate different hydrogen generation methods and to compare them with hydrogen production from electrochemical water splitting method. The goal of this study is to conduct a thorough evaluation of hydrogen generation performance using the electrochemical approach, with a particular emphasis on the development of electro catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction OER. Co₃O₄ derived ZnO are chosen as the main active materials for electrolysis. The study looks into the electrochemical behaviour of these materials, specifically their effectiveness in increasing hydrogen production. Electrolysis efficiency is determined by examining factors such as electrode material composition, electrolyte composition, and operating conditions. The study assesses the efficacy of Co₃O₄ derived ZnO electro catalysts in maximizing hydrogen yield using a chemical synthesis method. The results show that the composite Co₃O₄@ZnO achieved a current density of 10 mA/cm² at just 262 mV overpotential, significantly lower than ZnO (361 mV) and Co₃O₄ (324 mV), offering a promising avenue for the production of clean hydrogen. The growing global demand for renewable energy sources has prompted researchers to investigate alternate hydrogen manufacturing technologies. The results help to advance renewable energy technology and provide insightful information about how to optimize electrochemical systems for sustainable green energy applications.