Nanostructured NiMoO4 electrode materials for efficient oxygen evolution reaction

[Display omitted] •Nanostructured NiMoO4 synthesized using a facile and simple hydr4othermal method for OER applications.•The BET surface areas of the NiMoO4-6 h, NiMoO4-12 h, and NiMoO4-24 h were found to be 53.75, 60.06, 46.53 m2/g, respectively.•The NiMoO4 exhibited excellent overpotential of 315, 290, and 320 mV for NiMoO4-6 h, NiMoO4-12 h, and NiMoO4-24 h, respectively at 10 mA cm−2.•Furthermore, the NiMoO4-12 h showed a very good stability and only 1.28 % deduction was observed after 200 h at a constant current density of 10 mA cm−2. Bifunctional electrocatalysts derived from earth-abundant transition metals are a promising substitute for noble metals in general water electrolysis, but their low activity and short durability limit their application. Herein, a nickel molybdate nanoparticles decorated on nickel foam (NiMoO4/NF NPs) electrode was fabricated by a facile hydrothermal method at three different time intervals (6, 12, and 24 h) and verified for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The constructed electrodes exhibited high OER activity in 1.0 M KOH with overpotentials of 315 mV, 290 mV and 320 mV for NiMoO4-6 h, NiMoO4-12 h, and NiMoO4-24 h, respectively. In addition, the NiMoO4-12 h electrodes displayed remarkable durability with a negligible reduction of 1.28 % at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 for 200 h. This research work delivers a new pathway to improve the electrocatalytic behaviour of the catalysts by synergistically moderating the inherent electrical conductivity, efficient surface moieties, and surface reaction.