EXCELLENT ELECTROCATALYSIS OF OXYGEN EVOLUTION USING Co(OH)x(WO4)y/MESOPOROUS CARBON NANOCOMPOSITES

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of great importance in splitting water. However, the sluggish OER kinetics at the anode severely hinders the H 2 evolution at the cathode which is a crucial procedure for energy storage. Herein, we report the synthesis of a new OER catalyst of Co(OH) x (WO 4 ) y via a one-step hydrothermal method, where the incorporation of WO 4 2 − as a condenser greatly enhanced the electrocatalytic activity of Co(OH) 2 toward OER. Moreover, the introduction of mesoporous carbon (MC) further improves the electrocatalytic performance of Co(OH) x (WO 4 ) y by forming the nanocomposites of Co(OH) x (WO 4 ) y /MC. The synergism between Co(OH) 2 and WO 4 2 − and the synergistic catalytic effect of Co(OH) x (WO 4 ) y and MC majorly contributed to the apparently enhanced electrocatalysis of Co(OH) x (WO 4 ) y /MC toward OER. This work provides an efficient strategy to improve the electrocatalytic activity of Co(OH) 2 by introducing WO 4 2 − and forming nanocomposites between Co(OH) x (WO 4 ) y and MC for low-cost, convenient and highly efficient water oxidation.