Reduced Mesoporous Co 3 O 4 Nanowires as Efficient Water Oxidation Electrocatalysts and Supercapacitor Electrodes

While electrochemical water splitting is one of the most promising methods to store light/electrical energy in chemical bonds, a key challenge remains in the realization of an efficient oxygen evolution reaction catalyst with large surface area, good electrical conductivity, high catalytic properties, and low fabrication cost. Here, a facile solution reduction method is demonstrated for mesoporous Co 3 O 4 nanowires treated with NaBH 4 . The high‐surface‐area mesopore feature leads to efficient surface reduction in solution at room temperature, which allows for retention of the nanowire morphology and 1D charge transport behavior, while at the same time substantially increasing the oxygen vacancies on the…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 21322311, 21071033
• SA
  Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality

  Award: 14JC1490500
• PF
  Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University

  Award: NCET-10-0357
• PF
  Program for Professor of Special Appointment (Eastern Scholar) at Shanghai Institutions of Higher Learning