BCN-Co3O4 hybrid - a highly efficient catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction and dye degradationElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details, reusability of the Co3O4-BCN for dye degradation. See DOI: 10.1039/c6ra16058a

• Main Authors: Balakrishnan, Thiruparasakthi, Anis, Mohamed, Arun, S, Kumar, Mithin, Arun kumar, Sakthivel, Mayavan, Sundar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 22.08.2016
• ISSN: 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ra16058a

A simple one-step procedure for the preparation of nanosheets of crystalline 2D boron carbon nitride containing cobalt oxide (Co 3 O 4 -BCN) involving glycine-nitrate combustion chemistry is reported. The as-prepared hybrid is a highly active catalyst for dye degradation, and for the water oxidation reaction as compared to pristine Co 3 O 4 . Co 3 O 4 -BCN shows enhanced catalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline electrolyte. The onset potential towards the OER is 0.406 V ( vs. Ag/AgCl) in 1 M KOH. A current density of 10 mA cm −2 has been achieved at an overpotential of 394 mV in 1 M KOH. The as-prepared hybrid exhibits highly-efficient degradation ability for methyl orange and methyl blue dyes under direct sunlight irradiation. The as-prepared Co 3 O 4 -BCN shows excellent activity towards the OER and dye degradation as compared to pristine Co 3 O 4 .