Oxygen Electrochemistry as a Cornerstone for Sustainable Energy Conversion

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2014-01, Vol.53 (1), p.102-121
• Main Authors: Katsounaros, Ioannis, Cherevko, Serhiy, Zeradjanin, Aleksandar R., Mayrhofer, Karl J. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysts; Conversion; Electrochemistry; electrolysis; Electrolytic cells; fuel cells; Materials selection; Nanostructure; Nanostructured materials; nanostructures; Oxygen; oxygen evolution; oxygen reduction; Renewable energy; Stability
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201306588

Electrochemistry will play a vital role in creating sustainable energy solutions in the future, particularly for the conversion and storage of electrical into chemical energy in electrolysis cells, and the reverse conversion and utilization of the stored energy in galvanic cells. The common challenge in both processes is the development of—preferably abundant—nanostructured materials that can catalyze the electrochemical reactions of interest with a high rate over a sufficiently long period of time. An overall understanding of the related processes and mechanisms occurring under the operation conditions is a necessity for the rational design of materials that meet these requirements. A promising strategy to develop such an understanding is the investigation of the impact of material properties on reaction activity/selectivity and on catalyst stability under the conditions of operation, as well as the application of complementary in situ techniques for the investigation of catalyst structure and composition. The deployment of sustainable energy technologies is limited by severe challenges in the design of nanostructured electrocatalysts. Efficient catalysts must meet the criteria of high activity, long‐term stability, and abundance of the materials used. Integrated solutions will be provided only by multidisciplinary approaches that include fundamental electrochemistry, materials science, and chemical engineering. ORR/OER=O2 reduction/evolution reaction.