Metal-Organic Frameworks Derived Ag-CoSO₄ Nanohybrids as Efficient Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Cobalt-based nanomaterials have been intensively explored as one of the most promising noble-metal-free oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts. However, most of their performances are still inferior to state-of-the-art precious metals especially for Ru and Ir. Herein, we apply a continuous ion exchange method and further hydrothermal treatment to synthesize the flake-like Ag-CoSO_4 nanohybrids beginning from Co-BTC (BTC: benzene-1, 3, 5-tricarboxylic acid) metal-organic frameworks precursor. The catalyst exhibits superior OER performance under the alkaline electrolyte solution (a low overpotential of 282 mV at 10 mA/cm^2 in 1 mol/L KOH), which is even better than RuO_2 due to the improved conductivity and rapid electrons transfer process via introducing small amount of Ag. The existence of Ag in the hybrids is beneficial for increasing the Co(Ⅳ) concentration, thus promoting the ^*OOH intermediate formation process. Besides, due to the very low requirement of Ag content (lower than 1 atom%), the cost of the catalyst is also limited. This work provides a new insight for designing of inexpensive OER catalysts with high performance and low cost.