A novel silver oxides oxygen evolving catalyst for water splitting

A novel silver oxides oxygen evolving catalyst (Ag-OEC) for hydrogen production by water splitting was formed in situ on an indium tin oxide anode, in a near-neutral potassium tetraborate (K2B4O7) electrolyte. The catalyst exhibited high activity and low overpotential for O2 evolution under mild conditions. The main functional composition of the catalyst was a redox couple of Ag2O/AgO. Catalytic activity during oxygen evolution was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and Tafel plot. The effects of the concentration, temperature, and pH of K2B4O7 solution on the catalyst, and the Faradaic efficiency of the oxygen evolving reaction were examined. The results show that the Ag-OEC exhibits excellent oxygen evolution properties, with an oxygen evolving overpotential of 318 mV at a current density of 1 mA/cm2.

► A novel silver oxides oxygen evolving catalyst was formed in situ on an anodic surface under mild conditions.
► Excellent oxygen evolution properties in water splitting.
► An oxygen evolving overpotential of 318 mV at a current density of 1 mA/cm2.