Work

Electrocatalytic oxygen evolution on nano-CuOx modified electrodes: enhanced activity and stability through surface oxidation engineering

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Developing low-cost and durable electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains a key challenge in sustainable electrochemical energy conversion. In this work, nanostructured copper oxide (CuOx) films were fabricated on glassy carbon (GC) electrodes via a simple electrodeposition followed by electrochemical oxidation. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the formation of a uniform CuO/Cu 2 O mixed-phase layer composed of nanosized aggregates with high surface roughness. Electrochemical measurements in 0.1 M NaOH revealed markedly enhanced OER activity for CuOx/GC compared with bare GC, requiring an overpotential of 380 mV to achieve 10 mA·cm −2 and exhibiting a Tafel slope of 85 mV.dec −1 . The superior activity was attributed to increased electrochemically active surface area, facilitated Cu(II)/Cu(III) redox transitions, and improved charge-transfer efficiency. The catalyst also demonstrated outstanding operational stability, retaining 95 % of its activity after 6 h of continuous operation. These results demonstrate that surface-engineered CuOx nanostructures serve as efficient, stable, and low-cost OER electrocatalysts suitable for alkaline electrolysis applications.

Source: Results in Chemistry

DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2025.103004

Authors: Rajaa M. Alhuthli, Fatemah A. Alrahmany, Badreah A. Al Jahdaly

Institution: Umm al-Qura University

Language: English

Topic: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,870