Validation of enhanced OER performance of the amorphous Al2O3-added Co3O4/NiO two-dimensional ternary nanocomposite

The exploration of non-noble metal-based electro-catalysts to catalyze oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is imperative in sustainable energy development technology. Herein, the validation of improved electro-catalytic performance of an amorphous Al 2 O 3 -added Co 3 O 4 /NiO nanocomposite toward OER has been reported. Co 3 O 4 /NiO nanocomposite, 10%, 20% and 40% of amorphous Al 2 O 3 -added Co 3 O 4 /NiO nanocomposites were synthesized via a simple nitrate–citrate decomposition method. The experimental results evidenced that the 20% amorphous Al 2 O 3 -added Co 3 O 4 /NiO nanocomposite exhibits enhanced OER performance where the current density of 50 mA cm −2 is achieved at 389 mV, demonstrating 448 mV improvement as compared to the amorphous Al 2 O 3 free Co 3 O 4 /NiO nanocomposite. Double-layer capacitance results reveal that the enhanced OER performance, in case of 20% amorphous Al 2 O 3 -modified Co 3 O 4 /NiO nanocomposite, results ~ 3.5 times increased electrochemically active surface area. This work suggests that the addition of optimum amount of amorphous Al 2 O 3 to the Co 3 O 4 /NiO nanocomposite offers an attractive cost-effective catalyst for water-splitting devices.