Three-Dimensional Crystalline/Amorphous Co/Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Core/Shell Nanosheets as Efficient Electrocatalysts
for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
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Abstract
Earth-abundant,
low-cost electrocatalysts with outstanding catalytic activity in the
electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are critical in
realizing the hydrogen economy to lift our future welfare and civilization.
Here we report that excellent HER activity has been achieved with three-dimensional core/shell Co/Co<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanosheets composed of a metallic cobalt core
and an amorphous cobalt oxide shell. A benchmark HER current density
of 10 mA cm<sup>ā2</sup> has been achieved at an overpotential
of ā¼90 mV in 1 M KOH. The excellent activity is enabled with
the unique metal/oxide core/shell structure, which allows high electrical
conductivity in the core and high catalytic activity on the shell.
This finding may open a door to the design and fabrication of earth-abundant,
low-cost metal oxide electrocatalysts with satisfactory hydrogen evolution
reaction activities