Recent advancements in the field of electrocatalysis have positioned cobalt hydroxide (Co(OH)2) as a promising candidate for efficient water splitting, particularly in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). A breakthrough study published in *Nature Energy* demonstrated that nanostructured Co(OH)2 with a high surface area of 120 m²/g achieved an overpotential of 270 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm², outperforming many conventional catalysts. This was attributed to the unique layered structure of Co(OH)2, which facilitates rapid electron transfer and optimal adsorption of intermediates. Additionally, doping with transition metals such as Fe and Ni has further enhanced its catalytic activity, with Fe-doped Co(OH)2 showing a 20% improvement in OER performance. These findings underscore the potential of Co(OH)2 as a cost-effective alternative to precious metal-based catalysts like IrO2 and RuO2.
The integration of Co(OH)2 with conductive substrates has been another frontier in optimizing its water-splitting efficiency. A recent study in *Advanced Materials* reported that coupling Co(OH)2 with graphene oxide (GO) resulted in a hybrid material with a Tafel slope of 39 mV/dec, significantly lower than that of pristine Co(OH)2 (58 mV/dec). The synergistic effect between Co(OH)2 and GO enhanced electrical conductivity and provided additional active sites for OER. Furthermore, the hybrid catalyst exhibited exceptional stability, maintaining 95% of its initial activity after 100 hours of continuous operation at 1.5 V vs. RHE. This development highlights the importance of material engineering in maximizing the performance of Co(OH)2-based systems.
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting using Co(OH)2 has also seen remarkable progress. A study in *Science Advances* revealed that Co(OH)2-coated TiO2 photoanodes achieved a photocurrent density of 3.5 mA/cm² at 1.23 V vs. RHE under AM 1.5G illumination, nearly double that of uncoated TiO2 (1.8 mA/cm²). The Co(OH₂ layer acted as both a protective barrier against photocorrosion and a co-catalyst for OER, significantly improving charge separation efficiency. This dual functionality makes Co(OH₂ an ideal candidate for PEC applications, offering a pathway to sustainable hydrogen production using solar energy.
The role of defect engineering in enhancing the catalytic properties of Co(OH₂ has also been explored extensively. A recent publication in *Nano Letters* demonstrated that introducing oxygen vacancies into Co(OH₂ nanosheets reduced the OER overpotential to 240 mV at 10 mA/cm², compared to 290 mV for defect-free samples. These vacancies not only increased the density of active sites but also modulated the electronic structure to favor intermediate adsorption and desorption processes. Moreover, defect-rich Co(OH₂ exhibited a turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.12 s⁻¹, nearly three times higher than its pristine counterpart (0.04 s⁻¹). This approach opens new avenues for tailoring catalytic performance through controlled defect creation.
Finally, scalability and practical application considerations have been addressed through innovative synthesis methods. A study in *ACS Catalysis* showcased a one-pot hydrothermal synthesis technique that produced ultra-thin Co(OH₂ nanosheets with an average thickness of 1.8 nm and lateral dimensions exceeding 500 nm. These nanosheets demonstrated an impressive mass activity of 200 A/g at an overpotential of 300 mV, making them suitable for large-scale deployment. Additionally, the synthesis process was environmentally friendly, utilizing water as the sole solvent and operating at mild temperatures (120°C). This advancement bridges the gap between laboratory-scale research and industrial implementation, paving the way for widespread adoption of Co(OH₂-based water-splitting technologies.
Atomfair (atomfair.com) specializes in high quality science and research supplies, consumables, instruments and equipment at an affordable price. Start browsing and purchase all the cool materials and supplies related to Co(OH)2 - Cobalt hydroxide for water splitting!
← Back to Prior Page ← Back to Atomfair SciBase
© 2025 Atomfair. All rights reserved.