Copper Telluride Nanosheet/Cu Foil Electrode: Facile Ionic Liquid-Assisted Synthesis and Efficient Oxygen Evolution Performance

Abstract

Copper-based materials have been extensively developed as electrocatalysts for water oxidation due to their promising efficiency and large abundance. Among them, copper telluride could be a potential electrocatalyst but is rarely reported compared with other copper chalcogenides. In this work, rationally designed copper telluride nanosheet arrays on copper foil are fabricated via a facile ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazole chloride, [Bmim]Cl) assisted hydrothermal process. The ionic liquid serves as the solvent and etching agent, promoting the progress of reaction and affecting the morphology of products and the corresponding oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. The resulting layer-structure electrocatalysts provide a larger specific surface area and more exposed surface atoms as well as a tight interface with good adhesion to the substrate, thereby accelerating charge transfer and mass diffusion. Based on the above-mentioned advantages, the copper telluride electrode exhibits favorable catalytic OER activity and long-term stability in alkaline media. This work not only expands the variety of OER electrocatalysts but also provides a practicable approach to developing active and stable non-noble materials toward electrochemical water-splitting systems.