disclosed are electrolysis catalysts formed from cobalt , oxygen and buffering electrolytes . they can be formed as a coating on an anode by conducting an electrolysis reaction using an electrolyte containing cobalt and an anionic buffering electrolyte . the catalysts will facilitate the conversion of water to oxygen and hydrogen gas at a range of mildly acidic conditions . alternatively , these anodes can be used with cathodes that facilitate other desirable reactions such as converting carbon dioxide to methanol .