One-step synthesis of ultrathin α-Co(OH)2 nanomeshes and their high electrocatalytic activity toward the oxygen evolution reaction

Herein, we demonstrate for the first time the one-step synthesis of ultrathin alpha-Co(OH)(2) nanomeshes by an imidazole-directed route. The alpha-Co(OH)(2) nanomeshes combine the advantages of ultrathin thickness (3 nm), small mesopores (3.7 nm), large specific surface area (181.1 m(2) g(-1)) and high surface oxygen vacancy density, which exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction.