Enhanced OER Performance by Cu substituted Spinel Cobalt Oxide

Cobaltite spinel oxides (CuCo 2 O 4 ), which show electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), are readily synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method, with a stationary ratio, uniform flower-like mesopores morphology, and high crystallinity. We have carried out first-principles calculations on the mechanism of the reaction pathway and the Gibbs free energy diagram of CuCo 2 O 4 structures using density functional theory (DFT) and purely confirmed by experimental results. This catalyst performed an outstanding OER performance with an overpotential 230 mV at 10 mA∙cm − 2 in 1 M KOH, which was close to IrO 2 with an overpotential 190 mV at 10 mA∙cm − 2 . This work provides a facile method for electrocatalytic oxygen production with enhanced conductivity and enhanced OER by replacing cobalt with copper.