Active Electron Density Modulation of Co₃O₄‐Based Catalysts Enhances their Oxygen Evolution Performance

Abstract

Despite the fact that many strategies have been developed to improve the efficiency of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the precise modulation of the surface electronic properties of catalysts to improve their catalytic activity is still challenging. Herein, we demonstrate that the surface active electron density of Co₃ O₄ can be effectively regulated by an argon-ion irradiation method. X-ray photoelectron and synchrotron x-ray absorption spectroscopy, UV photoelectron spectrometry, and DFT calculations show that the surface active electron density band center of Co₃ O₄ has been upshifted, leading to a significantly enhanced absorption capability of the oxo group. The optimized Co₃ O₄ -based catalysts exhibit an excellent overpotential of 260 mV at 10 mA cm^-2 and Tafel slope of 54 mV dec^-1 , superior to the capability of the benchmark RuO₂ , representing one of the best Co-based OER catalysts. This approach could guide the future rational design and discovery of ideal electrocatalysts.