Space confinement effect of carbon coated metal nanoparticle on oxygen evolution reaction

The spatial confinement effect can alter the structure, size, and atomic utilization of catalysts, enhancing their efficiency. Herein, based on the tea plant cell wall spatial confinement effect, carbon layer coated Co nanoparticle (Co@TC) was prepared with controllable particle size and atomic utilization. The growth form of Co nanoparticles was modulated by altering the solution concentration, utilizing the confinement effect. As the solution concentration increased, the growth form of Co nanoparticles shifted from classical nucleation to assembly and merging. The [email protected] with the moderate particle size and uniform distribution exhibited high atomic utilization. The carbon coating protected the Co active sites from corrosion, ensuring long-term stability. The interfacial coupling effect between carbon layer and Co nanoparticles induced the fast electron transfer for enhanced conductivity. Electron redistribution occurred at the interface and regulated the electronic structure of Co@TC, improving the OER catalytic activity. The spatial confinement effect on the electronic and geometric structures of catalysts provided valuable guidance for enhancing atomic utilization.