Optimization of oxygen evolution electrocatalytic activity of metal oxide nanosheet via surface modification.

A surface modification route to high‐performance oxygen evolution electrocatalysts was developed by immobilization of highly‐oxidized SeO42− species on the surface of exfoliated MnO2 nanosheets. The enhanced stability of tetragonally‐distorted MnO6 octahedron could be achieved by the weakening of axial Mn–O bond due to competition with highly covalent Se6+–O bonds. The selenate anchoring was found to be quite effective in improving the electrocatalyst functionality of MnO2 nanosheets for oxygen evolution reaction, which could be ascribed to the improvement of charge transfer kinetics and the enhancement of Mn3+ stability. This study emphasized that the fine‐control of bonding nature via surface modification with selenate anchoring can offer useful means to explore efficient electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]