Self-assembled nanocotton-like Co–B–P/bacterial cellulose based carbon nanofiber as highly efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

It is urgent and challenging to exploit highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts for water splitting. Bacterial cellulose based carbon nanofiber (BCCNF) is highlighted for its 3D network structure, abundant surface functional groups and good conductivity. Herein, based on the different molar ratio of P/B precursor, a series of nanocotton-like Co–B–P/BCCNF electrocatalysts have been designed and prepared via a simple electroless deposition. When the molar ratio of P/B precursor is 3/7, nanocotton-like Co–B–P/BCCNF catalyst exhibits prominent catalytic performances, delivering the current density of 10 and 50 mA cm−2 at low overpotentials of only 262 and 391 mV, respectively. Besides, it exhibits long-term stability for durative OER in alkaline solution. This result indicates that nanocotton-like Co–B–P/BCCNF catalyst has great potential as OER catalysts for large-scale hydrogen production via water splitting.