Benzoate Anion-Intercalated Layered Cobalt Hydroxide Nanoarray: An Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts are highly desired to improve the overall efficiency of electrochemical water splitting. We develop a benzoate anion-intercalated layered cobalt hydroxide nanobelt array on nickel foam (benzoate-Co(OH)(2)/NF) through a one-pot hydrothermal process. As a 3D electrode, benzoate-Co(OH)(2)/NF with an expanded interlayer spacing (14.72 angstrom) drives a high OER catalytic current density of 50mAcm(-2) at an overpotential of 291mV, outperforming its carbonate anion-intercalated counterpart with a lower interlayer spacing of 8.81 angstrom (337mV overpotential at 50mAcm(-2)). Moreover, this benzoate-Co(OH)(2)/NF can maintain its catalytic activity for 21h.