Trends in activity for the water electrolyzer reactions on 3d-M(Ni,Co,Fe,Mn)-hydr(oxy)oxide catalysts.

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2012 · Nature Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/NMAT3313· OSTI ID:1050179

Subbaraman, R; Tripkovic, D; Chang, K-C; Strmcnik, D; Paulikas, A P; Hirunsit, P; Chan, M; Greeley, J; Stamenkovic, V; Markovic, N M ^[1]

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1. Center for Nanoscale Materials

Design and synthesis of materials for efficient electrochemical transformation of water to molecular hydrogen and of hydroxyl ions to oxygen in alkaline environments is of paramount importance in reducing energy losses in water-alkali electrolysers. Here, using 3d-M hydr(oxy)oxides, with distinct stoichiometries and morphologies in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) regions, we establish the overall catalytic activities for these reaction as a function of a more fundamental property, a descriptor, OH-M{sup 2+{delta}} bond strength (0 {le} {delta} {le} 1.5). This relationship exhibits trends in reactivity (Mn < Fe < Co < Ni), which is governed by the strength of the OH-M{sup 2+{delta}} energetic (Ni < Co < Fe < Mn). These trends are found to be independent of the source of the OH, either the supporting electrolyte (for the OER) or the water dissociation product (for the HER). The successful identification of these electrocatalytic trends provides the foundation for rational design of 'active sites' for practical alkaline HER and OER electrocatalysts.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
• Sponsoring Organization: SC
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 1050179
• Report Number(s): ANL/MSD/JA-72592
• Journal Information: Nature Materials, Journal Name: Nature Materials Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 11; ISSN 1476-1122
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: ENGLISH

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
ANIONS
CATALYSTS
DESIGN
DISSOCIATION
ELECTROCATALYSTS
ELECTROLYTES
ENERGY LOSSES
HYDROGEN
HYDROXIDES
OXYGEN
SYNTHESIS
TRANSFORMATIONS
WATER