Developing Cu-based catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) holds great promise as an alternative to noble-metal catalysts yet is hampered by the large energy cost required for generating active CuIII species. Here, we uncover a surface reconstruction of the graphene-supported CuS enabled by Co-doping (Co-CuS/G) that can effectively activate and stabilize high-valent CuIII species for OER. Unlike undoped CuS that partially converts into CuO, Co-CuS/G undergoes deep reconstruction into Cu(OH)2 and subsequently to the active phase CuOOH at ∼1.35 V vs RHE, much lower than the most reported Cu-based catalysts (≥1.62 V vs RHE). Theoretical calculations further confirm that CuIII species and Co dopants synergistically strengthen the adsorption of key oxygenated intermediates, lowering the energy barrier of the rate-determining step. Therefore, Co-CuS/G achieves good catalytic ability and durability, outperforming both undoped CuS and even commercial IrO2. This work offers a strategy to lower the energetic threshold for CuIII generation in Cu-based OER catalysts.
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Fulin Yang
R F He
S. X. Wang
ACS Materials Letters
Materials Science & Engineering
Yangzhou University
Kunming University of Science and Technology
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Yang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
www.synapsesocial.com/papers/69ba42cf4e9516ffd37a3581 — DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialslett.6c00138