Plasma engraved Bi_0.1(Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)_0.9Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ perovskite for highly active and durable oxygen evolution

The development of highly active and cost-effective catalysts based on noble metal free oxygen electro-catalysis is critical to energy storage and conversion devices. Herein, we highlight a plasma-treated Bi_0.1(Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)_0.9Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ perovskite (denoted as P-Bi_0.1BSCF) as a promising catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. H₂/Ar plasma engraving could significantly increase electrochemically active O₂^2-/O^- concentration and tune the electronic structure of Co ions efficiently, and consequently tailor the intrinsic electrocatalytic ability for OER. Of note, P-Bi_0.1BSCF, with unique crystalline core/amorphous shell structure, exhibits an enhanced intrinsic OER activity and higher stability than the noble metal IrO₂ catalyst, which outperforms most of the reported perovskite catalysts. The present work provides new insights into exploring efficient catalysts for OER, and it suggests that, in addition to the extensively applied for surface treatment of various catalysts such as carbons and metal oxides, the plasma engraved perovskite materials also exhibits great potential as precious metal-free catalysts.