Robust and efficient electrocatalyst for water oxidation based on 4,4′-oxybis(benzoate)-linked copper(II) hydroxido layers

Waqas Ali Shah, Sadaf Mir, Saghir Abbas, Shaista Ibrahim, Laila Noureen, Aleksandar Kondinski, David R. Turner, Paul Kögerler, Muhammad Arif Nadeem

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9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

An uncommon copper(II) hydroxide layer-based coordination polymer [Cu3(OH)4(oba)]n (1) (oba = 4,4′-oxybisbenzoate) has been synthesized and tested as electro-catalyst for water oxidation under basic conditions. In comparison to classical Cu(OH)2, 1 exhibits improved thermal stability of up to ca. 350 °C. Chronoamperometry studies indicate that catalyst 1 reaches an anodic current density of 0.1 mA cm−2 at η = 576 mV; a TOF of 2 × 10−3 s−1 at 418 mV overpotential value. The catalyst 1 shows Faradaic efficiency of 95%. Long-term catalytic studies for 10 h at a constant potential of 1.2 V indicate that compound 1 is robust and retains its chemical composition. Infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry studies of the pristine and post-catalytic compound 1-coated FTO electrodes further confirm that 1 retains its structural integrity throughout the catalytic cycle. Our results represent a proof-of-concept for designing next-generation robust and improved OER electrocatalysts based on earth-abundant metals.

Original languageEnglish
Article number119080
Number of pages7
JournalInorganica Chimica Acta
Volume497
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2019

Keywords

  • Coordination polymers
  • Faradaic efficiency
  • Over-potential
  • Water oxidation electrocatalyst
  • X-ray crystallography

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