Cuprous Oxide Electrodeposited with Nickel for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract

The transition from fossil fuel to clean energy requires inexpensive, efficient, and stable catalysts that can enhance reactions limited by high overpotential. In this work, we construct cuprous oxide thin films modified with a Ni overlayer for the oxygen evolution reaction. The best catalyst has an onset overpotential of only 150 mV. Using novel surface characterization techniques such as XRD, SEM, and EDS, the catalyst performance is found to be highly dependent on the composition and morphology of the catalyst.