Well-defined 2D transition vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) flat nanorods with large-scale synthesis feasibility as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER)

Abstract

The unwavering focus on renewable energy generation has opened a wider research scope towards the study of electrocatalytic water splitting. In this regard, the present work deals with a low-cost synthesis strategy enabling large scale production of vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Polycrystalline V₂O₅ nanostructures with a 2D flat nanorod-like morphology with a rod length of about 1 μm were developed using a polymer-assisted solution technique. Benefitting from their unique morphology, V₂O₅ nanorods showed commendable OER properties with a low Tafel slope value of 88 mV dec⁻¹ and overpotential (ηOER) of 310 mV at 10 mA cm⁻². With a stable catalytic performance for 12 h, the V₂O₅ nanorods grown with polymer assistance is proposed as a promising candidate for OER activity in the present study.