Phase-Segregated SrCo_0.8Fe_0.5–xO_3−δ/Fe_xO_y Heterostructured Catalyst Promotes Alkaline Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Perovskite oxide is a promising alternative to noble metal electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, as one of the most active oxide catalysts, cubic SrCoO3 presents poor OER performance relative to the theoretically predicted activity. Appropriate introduction of a guest component in the lattice and surface could largely promote the OER activity. Herein, we present a thermal-induced phase-segregation strategy to synthesize a heterostructured SrCo0.8Fe0.5–xO3−δ/FexOy (SC8F5) catalyst for OER. This novel perovskite/Fe3O4 heterostructure allows us to enhance the electrical conductivity ability, increase the Co oxidation state, and activate the surface oxygen to active oxygen species (O22–/O–) for efficient OER. In contrast to the poor stability of SrCo0.8Fe0.2O3−δ, we found that the SC8F5 heterostructure with segregated Fe3O4 on the surface can mitigate surface reconstruction and stabilize the catalyst structure, thereby increasing catalytic stability.