Alkaline oxidation of water on thin films of Li-Co3O4 prepared by thermal decomposition

An electrode kinetic study of oxygen evolution has been made on thin films of Li-Co3O4 in varying KOH concentrations. The Tafel slopes obtained by ste ady-state current-potentiel measurements were close to (2.3 RT/F) V per dec ade on these oxides. The reaction order with respect to OH- was found to be approximately 1.7. The oxygen evolution performance was found to increase with increase in Li content. A suitable mechanism involving a monoelectroni c transfer reaction in a quasiequilibrium condition prior to a rate-determi ning step which involve peroxide ion has been suggested.