Engineering metal oxide-based anode catalysts for water electrolysis
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- Water electrolysis stands as a cornerstone technology for the sustainable production of green hydrogen, a pivotal energy carrier in the global shift towards a low-carbon economy. The efficiency and economic viability of water electrolysis are heavily influenced by the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), a process marked by slow kinetics and substantial overpotential, which impedes overall system efficiency. To address these challenges, this thesis adopts a multidirectional approach to engineer innovative metal oxide-based anode catalysts that can effectively catalyze OER with reduced energy demands and improved durability. The research begins by addressing the limitations of traditional noble metal anodes, such as iridium and ruthenium, which, despite their high catalytic activities, are hindered by issues of cost, scarcity, and durability under operational conditions. This thesis explores the synthesis and application of high-entropy oxides (HEOs) as alternative anode materials. These oxides benefit from a diverse and tunable composition that can be precisely engineered to optimize interaction with OER intermediates, thereby enhancing catalytic activity and stability. The unique properties of HEOs, particularly their configurational entropy, are studied, both theoretically and experimentally, to understand their influence on catalytic performance, potentially leading to significant advancements in electrolysis efficiency. Furthermore, the research extends to exploring alternative anodic reactions that yield valuable chemical products such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) instead of oxygen, offering a greener and more manageable approach with reduced operational risks. The production of H2O2 involves a two-electron transfer process, which, although requiring higher potentials than the OER, opens avenues for the selective catalysis using perovskite oxides. These materials are screened theoretically by introducing three different stability criteria and, particularly, LaAlO3 is investigated for its activity, selectivity, and stability among the library of 2000 perovskite oxides. Lastly, the integration of solar energy into the electrolysis process through photoelectrochemical water splitting is examined. This part of the study focuses on the development of a BiVO4 photoanode, where doping and junction engineering strategies are employed to improve its light absorption efficiency and charge separation efficiency in the bulk and at the surface of the catalyst, further enhancing the overall water splitting performance. This comprehensive research provides a detailed examination of the challenges associated with OER at the anode in water electrolysis. It features significant advancements in anode material research, focusing on the synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of novel catalytic materials. By addressing critical technological challenges and leveraging advanced material engineering strategies, this work aims to pave the way for next-generation anode materials that could substantially enhance the efficiency and scalability of water electrolysis systems.
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Form | electronic resource; remote; computer; online resource |
| Extent | 1 online resource. |
| Place | California |
| Place | [Stanford, California] |
| Publisher | [Stanford University] |
| Copyright date | 2024; ©2024 |
| Publication date | 2024; 2024 |
| Issuance | monographic |
| Language | English |
Creators/Contributors
| Author | Baek, Jihyun |
|---|---|
| Degree supervisor | Zheng, Xiaolin, 1978- |
| Thesis advisor | Zheng, Xiaolin, 1978- |
| Thesis advisor | Gu, Wendy, (Professor of mechanical engineering) |
| Thesis advisor | Prinz, F. B |
| Degree committee member | Gu, Wendy, (Professor of mechanical engineering) |
| Degree committee member | Prinz, F. B |
| Associated with | Stanford University, School of Engineering |
| Associated with | Stanford University, Department of Mechanical Engineering |
Subjects
| Genre | Theses |
|---|---|
| Genre | Text |
Bibliographic information
| Statement of responsibility | Jihyun Baek. |
|---|---|
| Note | Submitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering. |
| Thesis | Thesis Ph.D. Stanford University 2024. |
| Location | https://purl.stanford.edu/nv516jy6979 |
Access conditions
- Copyright
- © 2024 by Jihyun Baek
- License
- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC).
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