GOALI / SusChEM: Structure-property relationships in metal-hydroxide oxygen-evolution electrocatalysts for alkaline-membrane-based water electrolysis

利用由化学学部化学催化项目和多学科活动办公室共同资助的“工业学术联络机会奖”，俄勒冈大学的Shannon Boettcher教授将(1)研究三维（3D）结构和局部组成控制氢氧化镍基电催化剂中析氧反应（OER）活性的机制，(2)确定在实际电流密度下运行的原型碱膜电解系统中，影响优化后的氢氧化镍OER催化剂性能和耐久性的关键因素。这项工作将与质子现场（沃林福德，CT）的凯西·艾尔斯博士合作进行。Boettcher实验室最近的研究表明，具有3D层状结构的Ni-Fe氢氧化物薄膜比其他已知的碱性OER催化剂（包括IrO2）具有更高的单原子活性，这激发了人们对ni基OER催化剂的关注。该小组还将在休假日与当地中学生开展外展活动。中学生们将在俄勒冈大学校园内亲身参与能源储存和可持续发展设计挑战活动。开发清洁和可持续的能源对人类文明的经济活力和环境活力都至关重要。太阳能和风能等可再生能源是间歇性的，因此目前与传统能源大量结合起来既困难又昂贵。储存间歇性可再生能源的一种很有前途的方法是将水分解成氢气和氧气。氢气可以作为一种可持续的无碳可再生燃料来取代化石燃料。这项研究解决了设计水分解系统的一个重要挑战-反应中氧气生产部分的低效率。

With this Grant Opportunities for Academic Liasons with Industry (GOALI) Award co-funded by the Chemical Catalysis Program of the Division of Chemistry and the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities, Professor Shannon Boettcher from the University of Oregon will (1) study the mechanisms by which three-dimensional (3D) structure and local composition control the oxygen-evolution reaction (OER) activity in Ni hydroxide-based electrocatalysts and (2) identify the key factors affecting performance and durability of optimized Ni hydroxide OER catalysts in prototype alkaline-membrane electrolysis systems operating at practical current densities. The work will be carried out in collaboration with Dr. Kathy Ayers at Proton OnSite (Wallingford, CT). The focus on Ni-based OER catalysts is motivated by recent work in the Boettcher laboratory demonstrating that thin films of Ni-Fe hydroxides with 3D layered structures have higher per-atom activities than other known alkaline OER catalysts including IrO2. The team will also conduct outreach activities with local middle school students during furlough days. The middle school students will engage in hands-on energy storage and sustainability design-challenge activities on the University of Oregon campus. The development of clean and sustainable energy sources is critical for both the economic and environmental vitality of human civilization. Renewable energy sources such as the sun and wind are intermittent and thus currently difficult and expensive to integrate with traditional energy sources in large amounts. One promising method to store intermittent renewable energy is by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen gas. The hydrogen gas can be used as a sustainable carbon-free renewable fuel to replace fossil fuels. This research addresses an important challenge in designing water-splitting systems - the inefficiency of the oxygen production part of the reaction.