An Efficient Family of Misfit-Layered Calcium Cobalt Oxide Catalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

The oxygen evolution reaction's (OER) poor kinetics is a considerable obstacle to overcome in the development of water-derived hydrogen fuel. Research into OER catalysts using earth abundant elements is required to achieve desirable catalytic efficiency. Herein, a selection of misfit-layered calcium cobaltite and transition metal (Mn, Fe, and Cu)-doped compounds are synthesized and investigated in order to evaluate their potential as OER catalysts in an alkaline environment. It is discovered that Ca3Co4O9 OER activity may be substantially improved through incorporation of Fe, exhibiting low overpotential (331 mV) at 10 mA cm(-2) current density, small Tafel slope of 52 mV dec(-1), and an exceptional long-term stability of electrolysis in 1 M KOH alkaline solution >100 h. Moreover, all materials used are systematically studied using a variety of characterization techniques, resulting in enhanced activity, which is attributed to the enhanced electrical conductivity, and optimized proportion of Co (III) and Co (IV), as well as the synergistic effect between Fe with Co.