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Abstract

Electrochemical water splitting is expected to be a promising solution to the growing problem of fossil fuel depletion,} but is limited by the slow anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Currently{,} nanomaterials such as Ru/Ir-based noble metal compounds have been used as highly active electrocatalysts for OER{,} but the high cost and scarcity hinder their wide application. Therefore{,} it is crucial to develop OER electrocatalysts that combine economic efficiency with high catalytic performance. In this work{,} we propose a universal synthesis strategy for the preparation of various noble metals-doped 3d-transition metal oxides (NM-TMO) electrocatalysts by the salt-template method. Our characterization analyses demonstrate that the noble metals are homogeneously dispersed as single atoms in transition metal oxides. Notably{,} Ir-doped Co3O4 catalysts{,} with Ir content as low as 1.35 at (Ir–Co3O4){,} exhibit excellent OER performance in acidic{,} alkaline{,} and neutral media{,} compared to commercial IrO2 as well as undoped Co3O4. This work demonstrates that the synthesis method is applicable to a wide range of noble metals and 3d-transition metal oxide matrix. This method results in reduced costs by significantly decreasing the noble metal{, but improving catalytic performance.