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Energy and fuels from electrochemical interfaces

Nature Materials volume 16, pages 57–69 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

Advances in electrocatalysis at solid–liquid interfaces are vital for driving the technological innovations that are needed to deliver reliable, affordable and environmentally friendly energy. Here, we highlight the key achievements in the development of new materials for efficient hydrogen and oxygen production in electrolysers and, in reverse, their use in fuel cells. A key issue addressed here is the degree to which the fundamental understanding of the synergy between covalent and non-covalent interactions can form the basis for any predictive ability in tailor-making real-world catalysts. Common descriptors such as the substrate–hydroxide binding energy and the interactions in the double layer between hydroxide-oxides and H---OH are found to control individual parts of the hydrogen and oxygen electrochemistry that govern the efficiency of water-based energy conversion and storage systems. Links between aqueous- and organic-based environments are also established, encouraging the 'fuel cell' and 'battery' communities to move forward together.

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Figure 1: Solid–liquid interfaces in aqueous and organic environments.
Figure 2: Materials-by-design and double-layer-by-design strategy in action: development of the most active interfaces for the HER in alkaline electrolyte.
Figure 3: The OER is controlled by the balance between activity and stability of anode materials.
Figure 4: Materials-by-design strategy for development of the most active materials for HOR in alkaline environments.
Figure 5: Materials-by-design strategy for development of the most active materials for ORR in PEMFC.
Figure 6: 'Activated water' brings the fuel-cell and battery communities closer.

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Article 27 October 2022

Arthur J. Shih, Mariana C. O. Monteiro, … Marc T. M. Koper

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Acknowledgements

The research was conducted at Argonne National Laboratory, a US Department of Energy Office of Science laboratory, operated by UChicago Argonne, LLC, under contract no. DE-AC02-06CH11357. We acknowledge support from the Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Sciences and Engineering Division, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fuel Cell Technologies Program and from the Joint Center of Energy Storage Research (JCESR), an Energy Innovation Hub funded by the US Department of Energy.

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  1. Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 97000 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, 60439, Illinois, USA

    Vojislav R. Stamenkovic, Dusan Strmcnik, Pietro P. Lopes & Nenad M. Markovic

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  1. Vojislav R. Stamenkovic
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Correspondence to Nenad M. Markovic.

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Stamenkovic, V., Strmcnik, D., Lopes, P. et al. Energy and fuels from electrochemical interfaces. Nature Mater 16, 57–69 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat4738

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