DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS OF TRANSITION METAL BASED ELECTROCATALYSTS

Abstract

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) along with oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are the core reactions for many energy conversion systems to carry out their reversible process. However, the intrinsic thermodynamic “up-hill” require extra potential to drive the OER and ORR processes, low-cost electrocatalysts with high activity and durability are urgently needed. For an efficientelectrocatalyst, favorable compositions, sizes, and surface properties are all extremely important factors. Here we design and synthesize efficient electrocatalysts based on first-row transition metals (e.g., Fe, Co, Ni), including their layered double hydroxides (LDHs), oxides, phosphates metal-organic-frameworks and metal-carbon complex through precise control of compositions and structures. Finally, the promotion effects and the underlying mechanism during the OER or ORR reactions are discussed