We
develop a 3D nanowires-array-support/active cobalt plating to
grow cobalt-phytate nanoplates (3D-NA/Co/CoNPAs) as an advanced oxygen-evolving
electrode. The constructed structure exhibits greatly enhanced catalytic
activity (ηj=10 mA cm–2
= 265 mV) and good stability (current retention >94% after electrolysis
of 6 h). Moreover, the Co-phytate grown on 3D-NA/Co is also used as
the anode in a two-electrode configured alkaline electrolyzer with
the sharp decline of energy consumption (41.55 KWh kg–1
Hydrogen) for hydrogen production. We then determine the
insight of the electrocatalytic process toward water oxidation on
our prepared electrode. First, the results reveal that the 3D-substrate
can obviously reduce the resistance for the electron transfer during
the oxygen evolution turnover. In addition, the introduction of active
cobalt plating will lead to the self-supported Co-phytate nanostructures
generation, which can significantly enlarge the electrochemically
active surface area (EASA). Further, the electrode after catalysis
is also characterized, and we find that the nanostructured cobalt
oxo/hydroxide are densely grown on the original Co-phytate nanoplates.
These core/shell nanocomposites not only own higher EASA but also
obviously decrease the free-energy change during the O–O formation
of the CoO6-based intermediate affected by the phytate
group.