Spinel oxides are promising catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The catalytic activity can be enhanced by octahedral ions; however, the effects of tetrahedral ions on OER catalysis remain unclear. A study of the effects of tetrahedral ions on OER catalysis was conducted by synthesizing spinel oxides (Zn_xCo_3−xO₄) with various Zn and Co ratios (x = 0–1). Zn_0.4Co_2.6O₄ showed the highest OER activity, although Zn ions have lower catalytic activity than Co ions at both sites. In the structure of Zn_xCo_3−xO₄, it was discovered via Rietveld analysis and X-ray absorption spectroscopy that Zn²⁺ ions mainly occupy the tetrahedral sites. The highest Zn_0.4Co_2.6O₄ activity is attributed to a moderate amount of cation defects on the surface caused by Zn²⁺ dissolution; however, excessive Zn²⁺ ion amounts led to an unstable surface structure. This study elucidates the OER catalysis enhancement attributed to the ion type at tetrahedral sites in spinel oxides.

尖晶石氧化物是有希望的氧释放反应（OER）催化剂。八面体离子可增强催化活性；然而，四面体离子对OER催化的影响仍不清楚。通过合成具有各种Zn和Co比率（x  = 0-1）的尖晶石氧化物（Zn _x Co _{3- x} O ₄），对四面体离子对OER催化的影响进行了研究。Zn _0.4 Co _2.6 O ₄表现出最高的OER活性，尽管在两个位置上Zn离子的催化活性均低于Co离子。Zn _x Co _{3− x} O _4的结构通过Rietveld分析和X射线吸收光谱发现，Zn ²⁺离子主要占据四面体位点。最高的Zn _0.4 Co _2.6 O ₄活性归因于中等程度的由Zn ²⁺溶解引起的表面阳离子缺陷；然而，过量的Zn ²⁺离子导致不稳定的表面结构。这项研究阐明了归因于尖晶石氧化物四面体部位离子类型的OER催化作用的增强。