Efficient and stable FeO@SiO core-shell nanospheres for electrochemical water oxidation under neutral conditions

To further improve the water oxidation activity of Fe 3 O 4 , SiO 2 -treated Fe 3 O 4 was successfully obtained by using a modified Stöber sol-gel process. The resulting Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 nanospheres not only showed noticeable water oxidation ability, but also display robust catalytic performance without a decay in activity throughout 1 h of testing at neutral pH. Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 core-shell nanospheres were exploited for the first time to obtain a vigorous electrocatalyst for water oxidation under neutral conditions.