Homogeneous Co3O4 film electrode with enhanced oxygen evolution electrocatalysis via surface reduction

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2020.08.008

Abstract

Abstract: Homogeneous NaBH₄-reduced Co₃O₄ thin film electrodes with enhanced oxygen evolution electrocatalysis were obtained via a controlled-synthesis route. Firstly CoO_x colloids were synthesized via ethylene glycol solvothermal method and cast on conductive glass substrates. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysis of these as-prepared Co₃O₄ thin films were then significantly enhanced via a simple surface reduction by NaBH₄ solution. The OER catalytic performance of the NaBH₄-reduced thin films was strongly dependent on the NaBH₄ concentration. The use of NaBH₄-reduced thin film electrodes for OER in alkaline solution supported higher current density and consequently negative shifts of the onset potential compared to that of the pristine. The optimal B_{12.5, 20}-Co₃O₄ thin films exhibited excellent OER catalytic performances: At the current density of 10 mA·cm^-2, a low overpotential of 365 mV and a small Tafel slope of 59.0 mV·dec^-1 were observed. In addition, these B_{12.5, 20}-Co₃O₄ thin film electrodes possessed good stability that can well recover its OER performance in a 24-h chronoamperometric stability test.

Key words: Co₃O₄ thin film, NaBH₄ reduction, Electrolysis, Oxygen evolution reaction, Stability

摘要： Homogeneous NaBH₄-reduced Co₃O₄ thin film electrodes with enhanced oxygen evolution electrocatalysis were obtained via a controlled-synthesis route. Firstly CoO_x colloids were synthesized via ethylene glycol solvothermal method and cast on conductive glass substrates. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysis of these as-prepared Co₃O₄ thin films were then significantly enhanced via a simple surface reduction by NaBH₄ solution. The OER catalytic performance of the NaBH₄-reduced thin films was strongly dependent on the NaBH₄ concentration. The use of NaBH₄-reduced thin film electrodes for OER in alkaline solution supported higher current density and consequently negative shifts of the onset potential compared to that of the pristine. The optimal B_{12.5, 20}-Co₃O₄ thin films exhibited excellent OER catalytic performances: At the current density of 10 mA·cm^-2, a low overpotential of 365 mV and a small Tafel slope of 59.0 mV·dec^-1 were observed. In addition, these B_{12.5, 20}-Co₃O₄ thin film electrodes possessed good stability that can well recover its OER performance in a 24-h chronoamperometric stability test.

关键词: Co₃O₄ thin film, NaBH₄ reduction, Electrolysis, Oxygen evolution reaction, Stability

Xiang Li, Bo Yang, Yaqin Wu, Saisai Lin, Lin Zhang. Homogeneous Co₃O₄ film electrode with enhanced oxygen evolution electrocatalysis via surface reduction[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2021, 29(1): 221-227.

Xiang Li, Bo Yang, Yaqin Wu, Saisai Lin, Lin Zhang. Homogeneous Co₃O₄ film electrode with enhanced oxygen evolution electrocatalysis via surface reduction[J]. 中国化学工程学报, 2021, 29(1): 221-227.

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Homogeneous Co₃O₄ film electrode with enhanced oxygen evolution electrocatalysis via surface reduction

Homogeneous Co₃O₄ film electrode with enhanced oxygen evolution electrocatalysis via surface reduction

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