Nanostructured copper oxide electrodeposited from copper(II) complexes as an active catalyst for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction

•Nanostructured copper oxide films have been electrodeposited from copper(II) complexes.•The films are used for electrocatalytic water oxidation with good catalytic activities.•The first observation of copper oxide nanoparticles as an active catalyst

In this report we show that nanostructured copper oxide thin films electrodeposited from copper(II) complexes can catalyze the oxygen evolution reaction. Cyclic voltammetry and bulk electrolysis with copper oxide film electrode in alkaline aqueous solutions showed significant catalytic currents. The catalyst film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray diffraction. The results identify that nanostructured copper oxide is an active electrocatalyst for water oxidation.

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