Metal-Ci oxygen-evolving catalysts generated in situ in a mild H2O/CO2 environment

Under mild conditions (near-neutral aqueous solutions, room temperature, and atmospheric pressure), an attractive electrolyte was expanded for splitting water and three novel oxygen-evolution catalysts (Co-Ci, Ni-Ci, Ag-Ci) were generated. The Co-Ci catalyst showed a high oxygen-evolution rate (24.42 μmol h−1), a low oxygen-evolution overpotential (395 mV) and excellent stability. In addition, the non-amorphous Ag-Ci catalyst, different from reported catalyst, was generated. The catalyst has been further characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

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► An effective and abundant electrolyte is expanded for splitting water.
► There novel Co-Ci, Ni-Ci, Ag-Ci oxygen-evolution catalysts has been generated.
► The Co-Ci catalyst is a potential candidate for water splitting.
► A non-amorphous Ag-Ci film material is generated.