MoO3/NiO bimetallic-N active sites in graphitic nitride sheet for enhanced water splitting and energy storage system

Abstract

For energy conversion and energy storage systems, achieving high-performance electrocatalysts toward OER and supercapacitor is a major challenge. Herein, bimetallic MoO<inf>3</inf>/NiO integrated with graphitic nitride (g-C<inf>3</inf>N<inf>4</inf>) is generated via hydrothermal reaction. The optimized g-C<inf>3</inf>N<inf>4</inf>@MoO<inf>3</inf>/NiO with a current density of 10 mA cm−2 manifested an overpotential of 198 and 92 mV for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), respectively. Besides, the attained Tafel slope was 96 mV dec−1 and 94 mV dec−1 in an alkaline electrolyte for OER and HER, respectively. Furthermore, the g-C<inf>3</inf>N<inf>4</inf>@MoO<inf>3</inf>/NiO was navigated for supercapacitor application and recorded specific capacitance of 1567 F g−1 and energy density of 19.72 Wh kg−1. The water splitting and energy storage capacity of g-C<inf>3</inf>N<inf>4</inf>@MoO<inf>3</inf>/NiO is related to synergistic effect and rich active catalytic sites produced by the combination of highly conductive g-C<inf>3</inf>N<inf>4</inf> sheets and well-dispersed, smaller bimetallic MoO<inf>3</inf>/NiO. Thus, the C<inf>3</inf>N<inf>4</inf>@MoO<inf>3</inf>/NiO nanocomposite can act as a promising candidate for water splitting and energy storage materials. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.