An efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction: in situ enrichment of cobalt by sulfate-reducing bacteria

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts are of significances for energy storage or conversion. However, the preparation of excellent electrocatalysts and their utilizations are still great challenges. In this paper, the in situ enrichment of cobalt by sulfate-reducing bacteria (IEC-SRB-Xs) with more uncovered by-production was successfully cultured and carbonized to serve as the OER electrocatalysts triumphantly. The carbonized remains of IEC-SRB-1.00 (named SRB-1.00) showed an excellent potential 1.553 V at current density 10 mA cm−2, and Tafel slope was 47 mV dec−1. Moreover, the SRB-1.00 performed constant activity and without any decline of activity after 24 h of OER testing. In addition, the SRB-1.00 exhibited high electron transfer efficiency of 0.803. Therefore, The IEC-SRB-Xs have potential to be a new approach to prepare OER electrocatalyst for water oxidation.