Construction of ternary methoxy hydroxide M(OH)(OCH3) (M = Co, Cu, Mn) with a flower-like structure for highly efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution.

Developing non-precious metal electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline electrolytes is crucial to address the issue of slow OER kinetics, which hinders water splitting efficiency. A flower-like ternary methoxy hydroxide M(OH)(OCH3) (M = Co, Cu, Mn) structure composed of stacked nanosheets was successfully synthesized in situ on Fe foam (FF) via a one-step hydrothermal method. The as-prepared M(OH)(OCH3) (M = Co, Cu, Mn) catalyst requires overpotentials of only 215 mV and 360 mV to deliver current densities of 20 mA cm-2 and 100 mA cm-2, respectively. The structural modulation of the FF-based electrocatalyst, achieved through the synthesis of methoxy anions using a methanol solution and the synergistic effects of Co2+, Cu2+, and Mn2+, enhanced its catalytic activity. The electrocatalyst also exhibited excellent stability at a current density of 200 mA cm-2.