Reversible adapting layer produces robust single-crystal electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution.

ABSTRACT: Electrochemically converting water into oxygen/hydrogen gas is ideal for high-density renewable energy storage in which robust electrocatalysts for efficient oxygen evolution play crucial roles. To date, however, electrocatalysts with long-term stability have remained elusive. Here we report that single-crystal Co3O4 nanocube underlay with a thin CoO layer results in a high-performance and high-stability electrocatalyst in oxygen evolution reaction. An in situ X-ray diffraction method is developed to observe a strong correlation between the initialization of the oxygen evolution and the formation of active metal oxyhydroxide phase. The lattice of skin layer adapts to the structure of the active phase, which enables a reversible facile structural change that facilitates the chemical reactio

SUBMITTER: Tung CW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4560826 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature