In situ TEM for understanding the electrochemical performance of iridium based catalysts

质子交换膜（PEM）电解水是一种很有前途的绿色氢气生产工艺，但由于电池环境的腐蚀性，对析氧反应（OER）的氧化铱阳极材料的需求有限且昂贵。进一步了解电极在操作条件下的降解可以为更稳定、成本更低的阳极材料的开发提供信息和加速。该项目旨在进一步发展透射电子显微镜（TEM）能力，以便在电解条件下研究液态环境下氧化铱电极材料的活性固液界面。我们将利用我们的专业知识，通过两个超薄电子透明石墨烯膜之间的封装，对固液界面进行原子分辨率TEM研究。该石墨烯基液体电池（GLC）平台将用于观察相关的电极-电解质界面，以了解其在使用中的性能。建立的知识库将为今后电催化剂的原位透射电镜研究提供一个平台。该项目可能涉及EPSRC的以下研究领域：催化、化学反应动力学和机理、电化学科学、功能陶瓷和无机物、氢和替代能源载体、能源应用材料、表面科学。

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis of water, a promising process to produce green hydrogen, is limited by the need for scarce and expensive iridium oxide anode materials for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), due to the corrosive environment of the cell. Furthering understanding of electrode degradation under operating conditions could inform and accelerate the development of more stable and lower cost anode materials.This project aims to further develop transmission electron microscopy (TEM) capabilities to enable the study of the active solid-liquid interface of iridium oxide electrode materials in liquid environments, under electrolysis conditions. We will harness our expertise with atomic resolution TEM studies of solid-liquid interfaces through their encapsulation between two ultra-thin electron transparent graphene membranes. This graphene-based liquid cell (GLC) platform will be applied to the observation of relevant electrode-electrolyte interfaces in order to understand their in service performance. The developed knowledge base will provide a platform for in situ TEM studies of electrocatalysts in the future.The project is potentially relevant to the following EPSRC research areas: Catalysis, Chemical reaction dynamics and mechanisms, Electrochemical sciences, Functional ceramics and inorganics, Hydrogen and alternative energy vectors, Materials for energy applications, Surface science.