In situ development of amorphous Mn–Co–P shell on MnCo2O4 nanowire array for superior oxygen evolution electrocatalysis in alkaline media

Abstract

Exploitation of efficient and earth-abundant electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of great importance. Herein, we report that the formation of an amorphous Mn–Co–P shell on MnCo₂O₄ can boost its OER activity in alkaline media. The core–shell Mn–Co–P@MnCo₂O₄ nanowire array on Ti mesh (Mn–Co–P@MnCo₂O₄/Ti) shows excellent electrochemical catalytic activity and requires an overpotential of 269 mV to drive 10 mA cm⁻² in 1.0 M KOH, which is 93 mV less than that for the MnCo₂O₄ nanoarray. Notably, this catalyst also shows strong long-term electrochemical durability with its activity being maintained for at least 100 h and achieves a high turnover frequency of 1.06 s⁻¹ at an overpotential of 450 mV.