Interacting CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with different carbon materials for high performance oxygen evolution

Abstract

Electrocatalytic oxygen electrochemistry involving the conversion of H(sub2)O into O(sub2) has attracted considerable attention as a greener process for clean energy generation. However, the oxygen evolution reaction (that facilitates this conversion involves a four electron transfer to produce one molecular oxygen in alkaline medium, leading to large overpotentials Commercial RuO(sub2) and IrO(sub2) have been reported as the state of the art OER electrocatalysts exhibiting lower overpotentials in alkaline electrolytes, but their high cost, scarcity and poor long term stability have hindered their large scale application. However, Cobalt ferrite has emerged as the most promising OER electrocatalyst in alkaline conditions due to its high electrocatalytic activity, low cost and good stability. In this study, CoFe(sub2)O(sub4) with various carbon supports (CB and RGO) have been prepared as electrocatalysts to improve performance of OER in alkaline electrolytes.