Oxygen evolution reaction of Co-Mn-O electrocatalyst prepared by solution combustion synthesis

High-performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts are needed to produce hydrogen for energy generation through a carbon-free route. In this work, the solution combustion synthesis (SCS) method was employed to synthesize mixed phases of Co-and Mn-based oxides, and the relationships between the crystalline structure and the catalytic properties in the mixed phases were established. The mixed phases of Co-and Mn-based oxides shows promising OER properties, such as acceptable overpotential (450 mV for 10 mA·cm⁻²) and Tafel slope (35.8 mV·dec⁻¹), highlighting the use of the mixed phases of Co-and Mn-based oxides as a new efficient catalysts for water splitting. Electronic structure of the mixed phases of Co-and Mn based oxides is studied in detail to give insight for the origin of high catalytic activities. In addition, excellent long-term stability for OER in alkaline media is achieved for the mixed phase of Co-and Mn based oxides.