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Copper as a robust and transparent electrocatalyst for water oxidation.
Jialei Du1, Zuofeng Chen, Shengrong Ye
1Department of Chemistry, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092 (China).
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|January 13, 2015
Summary
Surface-protected copper metal acts as a robust electrocatalyst for water oxidation. Forming a copper oxide film prevents corrosion, enabling sustained oxygen evolution and offering flexible alternatives for photoelectrochemical applications.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Copper's theoretical potential as an electrocatalyst for water oxidation is limited by anodic corrosion.
- Existing methods involving copper(II) in carbonate solutions form active catalysts but are constrained by solution conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a robust copper-based electrocatalyst for sustained water oxidation.
- To overcome the limitations of anodic corrosion in copper electrocatalysts.
- To explore applications in photoelectrochemical devices.
Main Methods:
- Investigating in situ formation of copper catalysts from copper(II) in carbonate solutions.
- Developing surface-protected copper metal catalysts by forming a compact copper(II) oxide film.
- Applying surface stabilization techniques to copper nanowire films.
Main Results:
- Formation of a copper(II) oxide film on copper metal prevents anodic corrosion.
- Surface-protected copper metal demonstrates sustained catalytic activity for water oxidation.
- Transparent and flexible copper/copper(II) oxide nanowire films show promise as electrocatalysts.
Conclusions:
- Surface protection of copper metal via copper(II) oxide formation is a viable strategy to prevent corrosion and achieve stable water oxidation catalysis.
- Copper/copper(II) oxide nanowire films offer a promising, flexible alternative to traditional indium tin oxide catalysts for photoelectrochemical water splitting.
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