Surficial lattice iridium single atom-strengthened spinel cobalt oxides for acidic water oxidation

Abstract

Effective and stable electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are crucial for improving proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers. Herein we demonstrate that incorporating single iridium atoms into the spinel Co3O4 significantly enhances its OER stability and performance in acidic environments. This modification increases the lifespan of Co3O4 by 80 times and lowers overpotentials, surpassing the performance of the benchmark IrO2. Theoretical calculations reveal that the Ir atoms help strengthen the structure of Co3O4, enhance its ability to absorb hydroxide ions, and speed up the OER process, while preventing metal loss during the reaction.