Cobalt carbonate hydroxide hydrate nanowires array: a three-dimensional catalyst electrode for effective water oxidation

The development of Earth-abundant low-cost catalyst materials for effective water oxidation is of critical importance for electrochemical hydrogen production. The first use of hydrothermally in situ grown cobalt carbonate hydroxide hydrate nanowires array on carbon cloth as an effective catalyst electrode for water oxidation in alkaline electrolytes is described. This three-dimensional electrode shows high catalytic activity with the need of overpotential of 323 mV to drive 10 mA cm−2, and its activity can be retained for at least 40 h.