Composite of aluminum oxide nanoparticles with polyaniline as a versatile electrocatalyst for efficient water oxidation

Electrochemical water oxidation is an advanced process for producing renewable energy from hydrogen (H 2 ) fuel; however, the slow rate of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) hinders its effectiveness. Thus, the fabrication of inexpensive and robust catalysts for renewable energy conversion remains an ongoing challenge for researchers. In the present study, the Al 2 O 3 /PANI composite was synthesized via a hydrothermal method to enhance OER performance. Numerous analytical techniques were applied to study the textural, structural, and compositional features of the presented materials. The electrochemical features of the Al 2 O 3 /PANI sample were analyzed in a 1.0 M alkaline medium. The produced composite showed a remarkably low overpotential (η) of 292 mV at an optimal current density (j) of 10 mA/cm 2 . Additionally, a reduced Tafel slope (39 mV/dec) and solution resistance (Rs ) of 2.96 Ω, suggesting that the composite exhibits improved reaction rate and considerable promise for water splitting and other electrocatalytic applications, owing to its substantial surface area, distinct active sites, excellent durability, and greater conductivity.