Strong Electron Coupling Effect at the CoO/CeO₂ Interface Enables Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

CeO2 has played an important role in improving the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance of transition metals-based catalysts whether as a hybrid, substrate, or interface. The high OER activity is ascribed to the optimized transition metals and/or the formed oxygen vacancies. In this work, the interface effect between CoO and CeO2 is reported to be the reason for the excellent OER performance of CoO/CeO2. Compared with sole CoO or CoO/CeO2-L (larger CoO nanosheets), CoO/CeO2 has exhibited higher OER performance due to the faster kinetics and higher OER intrinsic activity because of the large amount of Co/Ce interfaces. Theoretical calculations reveal the generation of the reconstructed active center of the Co–O–Ce configuration due to the strong electron coupling effect between CeO2 and CoO. The Co–O–Ce hybridization at the interface brings in the unoccupied oxygen states, acting as the acceptor-like states and optimizing the bonding energy with OER intermediates. The findings give an avenue to design excellent CeO2-containing OER catalysts through interface control.

Ce-Modified Flowerlike NiFe-MOF Nanostructure Based on Ion Competitive Coordination for Enhancing the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

“…The excellent OER activity of Ce@NiFe-MOF-5 under alkaline conditions can also be verified by comparing with other Ce-doped catalysts (Figure d and Table S7). − …”

Phase engineering of iron group transition metal selenides for water splitting

“…When protons and electrons combine at the cathode, H 2 is produced: 2e À + 2H + (aq) -H 2 (g) E y ca = 0 V vs. RHE. [30][31][32] In light of the Nernst equation, the standard oxidation potential for OER is defined as 1.23 V and the standard reduction potential for HER is defined as 0 V under standard conditions (25 1C, 1 atm). 33 Typically, the reaction equations for water splitting in acidic or alkaline are as follows:in acidic:…”

“…RHE. 30–32 In light of the Nernst equation, the standard oxidation potential for OER is defined as 1.23 V and the standard reduction potential for HER is defined as 0 V under standard conditions (25 °C, 1 atm). 33 Typically, the reaction equations for water splitting in acidic or alkaline are as follows:in acidic:2e − + 2H + (aq) → H 2 (g)H 2 O(l) → 1/2O 2 (g) + 2e − + 2H + (aq)in alkaline:2e − + 2H 2 O(l) → 2OH − (aq) + H 2 (g)2OH − (aq) → H 2 O(l) + 2e − + 1/2O 2 (g)…”

Anion-induced electronic localization and polarized cobalt clusters for highly efficient water splitting

“…Low-cost transition metal compounds have been developed to replace noble metal catalysts, such as supported metal clusters (SMCs), 10 phosphides, 11 sulfides, 12 selenides, 13 oxides 14 and nitrides. 15 Especially, metal cluster catalysts loaded on supports such as titanium dioxide, carbon layers, and carbon nanotubes exhibit excellent performance and stability due to their unique electronic structures and smaller geometric sizes.…”