Plasma-Engraved Co3O4 Nanosheets with Oxygen Vacancies and High Surface Area for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

Co₃O₄, which is of mixed valences Co²⁺ and Co³⁺, has been extensively investigated as an efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The proper control of Co²⁺/Co³⁺ ratio in Co₃O₄ could lead to modifications on its electronic and thus catalytic properties. Herein, we designed an efficient Co₃O₄-based OER electrocatalyst by a plasma-engraving strategy, which not only produced higher surface area, but also generated oxygen vacancies on Co₃O₄ surface with more Co²⁺ formed. The increased surface area ensures the Co₃O₄ has more sites for OER, and generated oxygen vacancies on Co₃O₄ surface improve the electronic conductivity and create more active defects for OER. Compared to pristine Co₃O₄, the engraved Co₃O₄ exhibits a much higher current density and a lower onset potential. The specific activity of the plasma-engraved Co₃O₄ nanosheets (0.055 mA cm⁻²_BET at 1.6 V) is 10 times higher than that of pristine Co₃O₄, which is contributed by the surface oxygen vacancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]