Short communicationIn-situ growth of highly uniform and single crystalline Co3O4 nanocubes on graphene for efficient oxygen evolution

•Highly uniform and single crystalline Co3O4 nanocubes were synthesized.•Graphene oxide induces the in-situ formation of Co3O4 nanocubes.•Co3O4/G composite shows enhanced catalytic performance for oxygen evolution.•Co3O4/G composite shows more active sites and higher charge-transfer efficiency.

The highly uniform and single crystalline Co3O4 nanocubes were synthesized and strongly anchored on the surface of graphene nanosheets via a one-step hydrothermal strategy. Owing to the negatively charged surface, graphene oxide can preferably adsorb Co2 + in the initial solution, subsequently inducing the in-situ nucleation and growth of the Co3O4 nanocubes at the elevated hydrothermal temperature. During this process, the graphene oxide is reduced to graphene, thus the fabrication of the Co3O4/G composite is finished. Compared with the Co3O4 irregular particles, the Co3O4/G composite shows enhanced electrocatalytic performance for oxygen evolution, resulting from more active sites and higher charge-transfer efficiency.

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