One-dimensional MoO2–Co2Mo3O8@C nanorods: a novel and highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction catalyst derived from metal–organic framework composites

Abstract

One-dimensional MoO₂–Co₂Mo₃O₈@C nanorods were synthesized by using MoO₃@ZIF-67 composites as a precursor for the first time, and it is found that the Co₂Mo₃O₈ species and its composite have excellent OER activities. The MoO₂–Co₂Mo₃O₈@C nanorods present favorable electrocatalytic advantages toward OER in alkaline solution, requiring an overpotential of only 320 mV to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm⁻². In addition, the catalyst also shows a small Tafel slope of 88 mV dec⁻¹ and relatively good durability. The attractive OER performance can be attributed to the highly active Co₂Mo₃O₈ and MoO₂ species and the unique structure of the catalyst. This strategy can be extended to design and synthesize other novel and highly efficient molybdenum based ternary metal oxides as OER catalysts.