Constructing cation defects through selective etching of tetrahedral sites in Co3O4 for an enhanced oxygen evolution reaction†

Abstract

Herein, Zn was introduced to regulate the tetrahedral coordination of Co₃O₄ and then leached out via alkaline impregnation. Experimental characterization indicated that the generation of tetrahedral defects significantly enhanced the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity. Theoretical calculations showed that these selective defects endowed the adsorption sites with a moderate d-band center, thus optimizing the binding strength of intermediates.