Mesoporous and ultrathin arrays of cobalt nitride nanosheets for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution

Abstract

Efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution are vitally important for regenerative fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Herein, 3D mesoporous and ultrathin array of CoN nanosheets are synthesized on the Ni foam via thermal transformation of Co3O4 nanowire arrays. This array imparts enhanced active sites, mass diffusion, and electron transfer towards oxygen evolution reaction. The low overpotential of 323 mV at 30 mA cm−2, a Tafel slope of 74 mV dec−1, and a high potential conservation in a long process of electrolysis process are achieved. It is thus one robust and efficient electrocatalyst for OER. Keywords: CoN nanosheet, Oxygen evolution reaction, Electrocatalyst