Self-supporting catalysts beat powder electrodes for the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction: a cobalt-based catalyst as an example

The residuals have received little attention during the preparation process of catalysts without binders via the hydrothermal method. Employing Ni foam-supported Co3O4 and CuCo2O4 materials for water oxidation reactions as two examples, it is noteworthy that the electrocatalytic performance of Co3O4 and CuCo2O4 from residuals is lower than that of Ni foam-supported Co3O4 and CuCo2O4, and supported catalysts have a higher specific performance and turnover frequency compared to corresponding residuals. Considering the large-scale application, the catalysts without binders should be given more attention during the preparation process of the catalysts via the hydrothermal method. In view of large-scale applications, binder-free supported catalysts should be given more attention for catalyst preparation using the hydrothermal fabrication approach.