Earth Abundant Materials for Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation: Enhancing Efficiency and Robust Performance in Acidic, Neutral and Alkaline Media

Identifier:  TDX:2660

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX2660

Authors:  Blasco Ahicart, Marta

Abstract:
In this Doctoral Thesis, different approaches to develop suitable working anodes based on Earth abundant metals for the electrocatalytic water oxidation reaction in different media have been presented. We have precipitated the nonanuclear cobalt cluster [Co9(H2O)6(OH)3(HPO4)2(PW9O34)3]16− (Co9) with Ba2+ and Cs+ to obtain water-insoluble salts that can be blended with a solid-state matrix, such as carbon paste. The BaCo9 have shown excellent and unparalleled performance for the electrocatalytic water oxidation in acidic media, yielding 100% Faradaic efficiency matched with good long-term stability. We have also incorporated the homogeneous Co9 POM into a conducting polymer matrix (i. e. polypyrrole) to obtain organic-inorganic anodes active in electrocatalytic water oxidation reaction in neutral conditions. This interesting processing approach has yielded versatile electrodes obtained from low cost and available raw materials. Finally, we have screened binary and ternary mixed oxide compositions, based on Ni, Zn, Fe and Cr, for the enhancement of electrocatalytic water oxidation in alkaline media. Cubic spinel phases, as well as, -Fe2O3 hematite have shown best efficiency combined with good long-term stability under working conditions.