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Ultrathin LiCoO2 Nanosheets: An Efficient Water-Oxidation Catalyst
Jianghao Wang1, Liping Li2, Haiquan Tian1
1Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Fuzhou 350002, P. R. China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|January 28, 2017
Summary
Ultrathin lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) nanosheets, the thinnest reported, exhibit enhanced electronic properties. These advanced catalysts show significant promise for efficient oxygen evolution reactions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Ultrathin cation-exchanged layered metal oxides are promising but difficult to synthesize due to strong interlayer forces.
- Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) is a representative material in this class.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize ultrathin LiCoO2 nanosheets with atomic layer thickness.
- To investigate the properties and catalytic performance of these novel nanosheets for oxygen evolution reactions.
Main Methods:
- A simple synthetic route was developed to produce LiCoO2 nanosheets.
- Characterization techniques included magnetic susceptibility, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, and X-ray absorption fine spectra.
- Electrocatalytic performance was evaluated through current density, overpotential, and Tafel slope measurements.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized LiCoO2 nanosheets with 5-6 cobalt oxide layers, the thinnest reported.
- Observed a unique coexistence of increased cobalt oxidation state and oxygen vacancy in the ultrathin nanosheets.
- Demonstrated enhanced electronic conduction and electrophilicity for adsorbed oxygen.
- Achieved a current density of 10 mA cm-2 at a low overpotential of 0.41 V with a Tafel slope of ~88 mV/decade.
- Exhibited excellent cycle life in oxygen evolution reactions.
Conclusions:
- Ultrathin LiCoO2 nanosheets possess unique electronic and chemical properties due to their reduced thickness.
- These nanosheets demonstrate superior catalytic activity and stability for oxygen evolution reactions.
- Ultrathin cation-exchanged layered metal oxides represent a promising next generation of catalysts for energy conversion applications.
