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Updated: Mar 29, 2026
08:40
Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
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Oxyanion induced variations in domain structure for amorphous cobalt oxide oxygen evolving catalysts, resolved by
Gihan Kwon1, Oleksandr Kokhan1, Ali Han2
1Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Ave, Lemont, IL 60439, USA.
Summary
Amorphous cobalt oxide catalysts for artificial leaf devices show varying domain sizes based on electrolyte composition. Pair distribution function analysis reveals structural differences correlating with catalytic potential.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Amorphous thin film oxygen evolving catalysts (OECs) from first-row transition metals are promising for artificial leaf devices.
- These OECs can self-assemble into photoanode materials for solar-driven photoelectrochemical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the utility of high-energy X-ray scattering and atomic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis for resolving structure in amorphous metal oxide catalyst films.
- To investigate how oxyanion substitution during electrochemical assembly affects the domain structure of amorphous cobalt oxide OECs (Co-OEC).
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-energy X-ray scattering and atomic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis.
- Examined amorphous cobalt oxide catalyst films (Co-OEC) assembled using phosphate (Pi), methylphosphate (MPi), and borate (Bi) electrolyte buffers.
Main Results:
- PDF analysis revealed distinct domain size variations in Co-OEC films, following the sequence Pi < MPi < Bi.
- Increased domain sizes in CoMPi and CoBi films correlated with enhanced contributions from bilayer and trilayer stacked domains.
- The lattice structures and stacking in CoMPi and CoBi domains were found to resemble the LiCoOO layered structure.
Conclusions:
- PDF analysis effectively elucidates domain size, structure, defect content, and mesoscale organization in amorphous metal oxide catalysts.
- This technique provides a method to characterize amorphous oxide catalyst structures and explore structure-activity relationships.
- The study highlights the potential of PDF analysis for optimizing OEC performance in artificial leaf applications.
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