Investigations of Binary Transition Metal Oxide Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

一些能量转换和储存技术使用由电驱动的化学反应，这一过程被称为电催化。这些技术的例子包括新的金属-空气电池，分解水以放氢，以及从二氧化碳(燃烧化石燃料的副产品)中生产化学品。所有这些技术都共享一个关键的化学反应，称为放氧反应(OER)。这些技术的效率往往受到OER速度缓慢的限制。在这个项目中，普林斯顿大学的Bruce E.Koel博士正在进行基于Ir和Co的混合氧化物材料的实验，以加深对OER的基本了解。这一项目可能会导致发现新的电催化材料来提高OER。科尔博士的研究为学生在高科技和新兴行业的职业生涯做好了准备，这些行业重视解决复杂问题的能力，并利用复杂的仪器。本科生、研究生和博士后都参与了这项研究，共同进行实验、构建理论模型、提供物理洞察力和开发新的解释。这项研究对解决地球的能源需求的重要性提高了学生对他们的工作对社会的影响的认识。这项研究为学生在学术界、国家实验室和行业中的职业生涯做好了准备。在化学与催化部门化学催化项目和化学、生物工程、环境和运输系统部门生物催化项目的支持下，Koel博士正在进行Ir和Co基混合氧化物电催化剂的实验，这将使我们对OER电催化有更基本的了解。在原子水平、表面性质和活性电极性能之间建立明确的关系有助于更好地理解用于OER的电催化剂，并为改进OER动力学提供合理的策略。OER过程中活性结构/基元的识别由操作手拉曼光谱确定，水氧化机理的关键方面通过操作手傅里叶变换红外光谱结合基础表面科学实验识别OER过程中的表面物种来揭示。对Ir基氧化物催化剂进行了研究，并展望了形成性能优良的OER催化剂的前景。研究人员还试图减少昂贵的Ir金属的负载量，为开发低成本、高性能、稳定的OER催化剂提供新的材料。由于钴基氧化物催化剂在碱性条件下具有较好的催化性能，人们对其进行了研究。他们有可能提高催化剂活性并可能降低操作的pH值范围。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Some energy conversion and storage technologies use chemical reactions driven by electricity in a process known as electrocatalysis. Examples of these technologies include new metal-air batteries, water splitting for hydrogen evolution, and production of chemicals from the carbon dioxide (the byproduct of burning fossil fuels). All of these technologies share a crucial chemical reaction known as the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The efficiencies of these technologies are often limited by the sluggish rate of the OER. In this project, Dr. Bruce E. Koel of Princeton University is conducting experiments on iridium (Ir) and cobalt (Co) based mixed oxide materials to develop a greater fundamental understanding of the OER. This project may lead to the discovery of novel electrocatalytic materials to enhance OER. Dr. Koel's research prepares students for careers in high-tech and emerging industries that value the ability to solve complex problems and that utilize sophisticated instrumentation. Undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students are involved in the research and work together to conduct experiments, construct theoretical models, provide physical insight, and develop new explanations. The importance of this research for addressing the energy needs of the planet enhances student awareness of the impact of their work on society. This research prepares students for careers in academia, national laboratories, and industry.With support from the Chemical Catalysis Program of the Division of Chemistry and Catalysis and Biocatalysis Program in the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environment and Transport Systems, Dr. Koel is conducting experiments on Ir and Co based mixed oxide electrocatalysts that are providing a greater fundamental understanding of OER electrocatalysis. Establishing clear relationships between atomic level surface properties and performance of active electrodes provides a better understanding of electrocatalysts for OER and provides rational strategies for improving OER kinetics. Active structures/motifs are identified during OER by operando Raman spectroscopy and key aspects of the water oxidation mechanism are revealed by identification of surface species during OER by operando Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy along with fundamental surface science experiments. Iridium based oxide catalysts are studied with the prospect of forming superior OER catalysts. The researcher also seek to reduce the loading of the expensive Ir metal and provide new materials for the development of cost-effective, high performance, stable OER catalysts. Cobalt based oxide catalysts are investigated because of their OER performance under alkaline conditions. They have potential for increasing catalyst activity and possibly lowering the pH range of operation.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.