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Abstract
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Developing efficient heterogeneous electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a
critical component for water splitting technology [1-3]. In this study tungsten oxide nanoparticles
were electrodeposited on the surface of graphenized pencil lead electrode (GPLE) as a low cost
and efficient electrocatalyst for the OER in alkaline media. The prepared tungsten oxide modified
GPLE (WO3/GPLE) was carefully characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energydispersive
X-ray spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry
techniques. The WO3/GPLE exhibits excellent performance in electrocatalytic water oxidation in
alkaline media due to synergistic effects arising from the GPLE and WO3 nanoparticles. The
developed electrocatalyst represents remarkably low OER overpotential of 1.38 V (vs. RHE) at the
current density of 10 mA cm-2 and Tafel slope of 89 mV dec-1 in 1 M KOH solution. The
WO3/GPLE was highly stable and capable for maintaining catalytic activity for at least 5 h. Due to
distinctive electrical conductivity, high mass transfer, and adequate active sites of GPLE, the
electrocatalytic activity of the WO3 nanoparticles were incredibly improved in WO3/GPLE.
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