Generation of edge dislocation defects in Co3O4 catalysts: an efficient tactic to improve catalytic activity for oxygen evolution

Abstract

Edge dislocations are an important and ubiquitous class of topological defects, which could greatly influence the electronic structure and chemical properties of catalysts and significantly improve the catalytic performance. However, it is very challenging to fabricate electrocatalysts with edge dislocations for water splitting. In this work, a pioneering way was demonstrated to synthesize Co₃O₄ catalysts with abundant edge dislocation defects in the special {011} facets by using a regenerated cellulose template, in which the semi-crystalline configuration of the cellulose chain played a crucial role in the edge dislocation generation in Co₃O₄. The obtained defect-activated Co₃O₄ (DA-Co₃O₄) exhibited a remarkably enhanced catalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Compared with defect-free Co₃O₄, the defect-activated one required 183 mV and 261 mV overpotentials to afford current densities of 10 and 50 mA cm⁻² respectively in 1.0 mol L⁻¹ KOH solution.