Hierarchical CuO@ZnCo LDH heterostructured nanowire arrays toward enhanced water oxidation electrocatalysis

It is of great importance to design and develop complex heterostructured nanocatalysts with superior electrochemical performance to that of single structured ones. Here, we report the hydrothermal fabrication of a hierarchical heterostructured CuO@ZnCo layered double hydroxide nanowire array on a copper foil (CuO@ZnCo LDH/CF). As a self-supported electrocatalyst for water oxidation, CuO@ZnCo LDH/CF has superior catalytic activity with the requirement of a low overpotential of 270 mV to attain 10 mA cm −2 in 1.0 M KOH. In addition, it shows strong durability to maintain its activity for at least 24 h. As a durable electrocatalyst for water oxidation, a hierarchical heterostructured CuO@ZnCo layered double hydroxide nanowire array on a copper foil requires a low overpotential of 270 mV to attain 10 mA cm −2 in 1.0 M KOH.