Abstract

Copper ore tailings contain significant amounts of iron and copper, which, given their abundance, must be exploited comprehensively. This study presents an eco-friendly synthesis of copper ferrite nanoparticles (CuFe2O4) using mango peel extract, focusing on their application for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The resulting nanoparticles, characterized by various analytical techniques, show a distinctive spherical morphology with a high surface area, demonstrating excellent electrocatalytic activity in alkaline media. With mean crystallite of 36 +/- 3 nm size, these nanoparticles reached a current density of 10 mA cm-2 at a low overpotential of 0.216 V, showing good durability and stability. The high OER activity is attributed to the unique morphology, which provides a large surface area and a porous structure ideal for the adsorption and activation of reactive species. Additionally, structural defects facilitate the migration of these species and the electron transfer, accelerating the OER reaction.