Effects of Group IB Metals of Au/Ag/Cu on Boosting Oxygen Evolution Reaction of Cobalt Hydroxide

Abstract

Developing high‐activity, good‐stability oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts is the key to solving the problem of hydrogen production from electrolytic water. Cobalt hydroxide (Co(OH)2) is a hopeful OER catalyst, but its poor conductivity and low inherent activity limit its OER performance. Herein, we used group IB metals of Au, Ag, and Cu to increase the OER performance of Co(OH)2 via the electrodeposition method. All three metals can increase the carrier concentration and proportion of high‐valence cobalt ions. The analysis results disclose that the construction of Ag−Co(OH)2 heterostructure can optimize the electronic structure through interfacial interactions, produce a moderate proportion of high‐valence cobalt centers, enhance the charge transport capacity and the adsorption of hydroxyl species, thus accelerating the OER kinetics and effectively improving the inherent catalytic activity. This work not only develops effective and steady catalysts but also provides a facile method to enhance the OER performance through interface engineering.

Silver-integrated cobalt hydroxide hybrid nanostructured materials for improved electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction

“…3a). 65,66 The deconvolution of Co 2p peaks revealed Co 2+ peaks at 782.37 and 798.82 eV and Co 3+ peaks at 781.2 and 797.1 eV. The satellite peaks appeared at 786.9 and 803.43 eV.…”

Dual‐laser pulse‐patterned α‐Co(OH)2/rGO heterointerface for accelerated water oxidation and surface phase‐transition via in‐situ Raman spectroscopy

“…Notably, the BE values remain unchanged even with an increased Co concentration in Co(OH) 2 /rGO, affirming the presence of Co 2+ state in all samples (Figure S4a–h). 24 …”

“…Notably, the BE values remain unchanged even with an increased Co concentration in Co(OH) 2 /rGO, affirming the presence of Co 2+ state in all samples (Figure S4a-h). 24 Thus, the synergistic effect between rGO and Co(OH) 2 can regulate the electronic structure by facilitating charge transfer between rGO and Co(OH) 2 in the composite materials, thereby enhancing the electrochemical OER activity. Typically, rGO exhibits a lower electron affinity compared to Co(OH) 2 , owing to its graphene-like structure comprising carbon atoms in sp 2 hybridization.…”

“…Additionally, the low oxidation state of Co 2+ ions results in poor adsorption of hydroxyl anion and oxygen‐comprising intermediate on its surface. This hampers charge transfer and desorption activity, ultimately hindering oxygen production 24 . This issue can be solved by decorating Co(OH) 2 on rGO, where rGO facilitates efficient electron hopping and Co(OH) 2 provides a hydrophilic surface, thereby accelerating the H 2 O adsorption in the OER and thus affords a reduced ion diffusion route that favors charge transfer and improves the OER activity and stability.…”