Amorphous Fe-Co-P-C Film on a Carbon Fiber Paper Support as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Amorphous Fe-Co-P-C films supported on carbon fiber paper were prepared by using an inexpensive conventional magnetron co-sputtering technique, and the effects of the Co content on electrocatalytic performance were assessed. These Fe80-xCo(x)P(13)C(7) (x=20, 40 or 60) films performed well as electrocatalysts and exhibited good durability during the oxygen evolution reaction in 1.0 M KOH. Increases in the Co concentration improved the electrocatalytic activity, and the Fe20Co60P13C7 film produced a low overpotential of approximately 310 mV at 10 mA cm(-2), with a low Tafel slope of approximately 31 mV dec(-1). This material also maintained a constant overpotential for at least 20 h. Based on the results of this study, these materials represent a new approach to the development of highly efficient, inexpensive catalysts for water electrolysis.