Enhanced OER Performance by Cu Substituted Spinel Cobalt Oxide

Cobaltite spinel oxides (CuCo2O4), 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 CuCo2O4 structures using density functional theory 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 IrO2 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.