Exploring the fabrication and characterization of La2O3/RGO nanostructure for enhanced electrocatalytic oxygen and hydrogen evolution reaction

Abundant electrochemically reactive sites, elevated conductivity, and a robust structure and electrochemical performance are obligatory for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In the present investigation, a simple refluxing technique was employed to construct La 2 O 3 decorated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanostructure. The functional groups and their interaction within the composite were studied using IR spectroscopy. The crystallographic structure of the rGO, La 2 O 3 , and La 2 O 3 /rGO nanostructure was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The fabrication of the nanostructure and its size were confirmed by SEM, XPS, PL, and Raman spectroscopy. The developed nanostructure exhibited an average size of 20 nm and demonstrated excellent performance in the oxygen evolution reaction, with an overpotential of 242 mV at 10 mA/cm2 and a Tafel slope of approximately 85 mV/dec. Additionally, the nanostructure exhibited an overpotential of 120 mV at 10 mA/cm² for the hydrogen evolution reaction, with the lowest Tafel slope of 64 mV/dec. The results indicate that the La 2 O 3 /rGO nanostructure is a potential electrocatalyst for energy conversion and storage applications. • Fabrication of La 2 O 3 decked reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanostructure via refluxing techniques. • La 2 O 3 /rGO is a potent electrocatalyst for energy conversion and storage applications. • La 2 O 3 /rGO nanostructure demonstrates excellent performance in the oxygen evolution reaction.