SILAR Synthesized Binder-Free, Hydrous Cobalt Phosphate Thin Film Electrocatalysts for OER Application: Annealing Effect on the Electrocatalytic Activity

Abstract

Highly efficient and robust electrocatalysts intended for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are essential for energy conversion devices; the structural and morphological fractions of the electrocatalyst can also greatly influence the OER performance. Therefore, developing a high-performing electrocatalyst with desired properties is crucial through a simple and cost-effective chemical process. So, the binder-free, hydrous cobalt phosphate (Co3(PO4)2.nH2O) thin film electrocatalysts are prepared via the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method onto stainless steel (SS) substrates at ambient temperature. Additionally, the impact of annealing on the OER efficiency of thin film electrodes made of hydrous cobalt phosphate was observed by subjecting the electrocatalysts to different temperatures (200°C and 400°C). The SILAR synthesized hydrous Co3(PO4)2.nH2O with the short-range ordered agglomerated particles transformed into discrete nanoparticles with an annealing temperature. The as-prepared hydrous cobalt phosphate (CP) demonstrated outstanding OER performance with the least overpotential (η) of 265 mV at 10 mA cm-2 current density and the lowest Tafel slope of 37 mV dec-1, and the overpotential (η10) increased upon the annealing of catalysts (CP 200 and CP 400). Moreover, the as-prepared electrocatalyst demonstrated overall water splitting at the lowest potential of 1.56 V (@10 mA cm-2) in the alkaline electrolysis system (CP//Pt). The present study reveals that the electrocatalytic performance of the as-prepared cobalt phosphate thin film catalyst is significantly associated with the hydrous content present in catalysts and demonstrates the practical applicability of SILAR-synthesized binder-free cobalt phosphate thin film electrocatalysts.