Cations distribution of CuxCo3-xO4 and its electrocatalytic activities for oxygen evolution reaction

CuxCo3-xO4 spinels with different x values were synthesized by hydroxide co-precipitation method. The oxides were analyzed by TGA, XRD, BET, and SEM. The cations distribution of CuxCo3-xO4 was discussed according to the change of the copper content (x). As x value increases from 0.7 to 0.9, more Co3+ ions enter the tetrahedral sites of spinel structure. Electrochemical measurements show that the occupation of Co3+ ions in tetrahedral sites is helpful to increase the electrocatalytic activities of the spinel oxides for oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline water electrolysis. (c) 2008 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.