In-situ construction of CeO2–Co3O4 heterostructure on nickel foam for efficient oxygen evolution reaction

Abstract

The creation and fabrication of inexpensive and efficacious catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) hold great significance for advancing water electrolysis technology. In this study, CeO₂ and Co₃O₄ heterostructure was synthesized in situ on nickel foam using a two-step electrodeposition process followed by calcination, and it was used as the electrode material for OER. The material exhibits a low overpotential of 284 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² and a small Tafel slope of 35.5 mV dec⁻¹. The enhanced activity of the composite is attributed to rapid charge transfer and the synergistic effect between Co and Ce metal oxides. Meanwhile, the composite exhibits great stability in alkaline electrolyte.