Electrodeposition of Hierarchical Nanosheet of NiCo2O4/CC as Highly Active and Stable Electrode for Water Oxidation

Abstract

Direct growth of NiCo2O4 on 3D textile and wavy carbon cloth (CC) using facile and low-cost electrodeposition results in the creation of distinct morphologies. The homogeneity and conformality of the coating of NiCo2O4 on CC can be readily controlled by adjusting or optimizing the electrodeposition parameters as shown by SEM and TEM images. Various loadings of NiCo2O4 were prepared under different conditions. The electrochemical characterization measurements for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) show that hierarchical NiCo2O4 on CC has a low onset potential at 270 mV, low overpotential of 290 mV at 10 mA/cm2, and low electron transfer resistance across the electrode and electrolyte. NiCo2O4/CC electrode showed excellent stability when evaluated for ~500 hours. This synthesis method holds high potential for large-scale electrode fabrication on carbon substrates. The method is comprised of controllable optimizing parameters that can readily affect the materials’ catalytic performance.