Investigating the Electrochemical Behavior of Transition Metal‐Doped CuCo ₂ O ₄ : An Experimental Exploration of Dopant Effects on Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract This experimental study systematically explored the influence of various 3d metal dopants, including Ni, Mn, Ag, Cr, and Fe, on the structural, morphological, and electrochemical characteristics of CuCo 2 O 4 . X‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the dopants were successfully incorporated, preserving the cubic spinel structure without forming secondary phases. The primary objective of this doping strategy was to fine‐tune the material's redox behavior, electrical conductivity, and oxidation mechanism. Extensive electrochemical evaluations, utilizing techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, demonstrated notable differences in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance across the diverse dopant compositions. Significantly, the doped materials consistently exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity and enhanced stability when compared to the undoped CuCo 2 O 4 . A key finding was that the d 8 (Ni) configuration proved most effective for OER performance, achieving the lowest overpotential of 350 mV at a current density of 50 mA cm −2 . The structural modifications introduced by these dopants were observed to critically alter the material's electronic configuration, surface reactivity, and charge transfer kinetics. This research underscores the promise of strategically doped CuCo 2 O 4 as efficient electrocatalysts, providing crucial insights into the intricate interplay between dopant choice, material properties, and overall electrochemical performance.