Porous cobalt-based thin film as a bifunctional catalyst for hydrogen generation and oxygen generation.

A mixed-phased Co-based catalyst composed of Co phosphide and Co phosphate is successfully fabricated for bifunctional water electrolysis. The highly porous morphology in this anodized film enables efficient catalytic activity toward water splitting in an extremely low loading mass. The mixed phases in the porous film afford an ability to generate both H2 and O2 in a single electrolyzer.