Shape-controlled synthesis of Co3O4 for enhanced electrocatalysis of the oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

A facile two-step synthesis of 1D nanorod, 2D nanosheet, and 3D nanocube-shaped Co₃O₄ was demonstrated. The formed 1D, 2D, and 3D Co₃O₄ were systematically probed using a structure sensitive electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER), revealing that the 2D nanosheets exhibited higher catalytic activities in contrast to the 1D and 3D Co₃O₄, due to their high electrochemically active surface area and rich oxygen deficiencies. This study also showed that there was a tradeoff between the 2D and 3D Co₃O₄ in terms of OER activity and stability.