PNNL

Abstract

The shape control of Ir-based nanostructured materials, which are considered as the state-of-the-art anode electrocatalyst candidates toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER), has been rarely reported. Here, we reported the efficient synthesis of ultrathin dendritic IrTe nanotubes (NTs) via galvanic displacement reaction using Te nanowires as the template at 190 °C for 1 h. The as-obtained IrTe NTs exhibited improved electrocatalytic activity and stability toward OER with much smaller overpotential of 290 mV and Tafel slope of 60.3 mV/dec to attain the current density of 10 mA/cm2 in acidic medium, compared with commercial IrO2 nanoparticles. Moreover, IrTe NTs also demonstrated the enhanced electrocatalytic performances in neutral and alkaline media. The outstanding electrochemical properties of IrTe NTs in a wide pH range hold great promise in various applications such as energy storage and conversion devices, biosensors and beyond.