Tuning complex transition metal hydroxide nanostructures as active catalysts for water oxidation by a laser-chemical route.

Niu, Kai-Yang; Lin, Feng; Jung, Suho; Fang, Liang; Nordlund, Dennis; McCrory, Charles C L; Weng, Tsu-Chien; Ercius, Peter et al. · Nano Lett · 2015

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Diverse transition metal hydroxide nanostructures were synthesized by laser-induced hydrolysis in a liquid precursor solution for alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Several active OER catalysts with fine control of composition, structure, and valence state were obtained including (Lix)[Ni0.66Mn0.34(OH)2](NO3)(CO3) · mH2O, Lix[Ni0.67Co0.33(OH)2](NO3)0.25(ORO)0.35 · mH2O, etc. An operate overpotential less than 0.34 V at current density of 10 mA cm(-2) was achieved. Such a controllable laser-chemical route for assessing complex nanostructures in liquids opens many opportunities to design novel functional materials for advanced applications.