Investigating the Relationship Between Activity and Stability on Metal Hydr(oxy)oxide Surfaces at Oxygen Evolution Reaction

• Grant number: 24/23201-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Juliana Ferreira de Brito
• Grantee: Marina Medina da Silva
• Supervisor: Pietro Papa Lopes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/14228-5 - Electrochemical recycling of metals from e-waste: a sustainable approach to product ammonia and green hydrogen, BP.PD

Abstract

The demand for sustainable energy solutions has driven significant interest in green hydrogen production from water electrolysis, especially with the increasing integration of renewable energy sources on the electrical grid. Among the challenges in electrochemical water splitting, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is hindered by sluggish kinetics and high overpotentials, limiting efficiency. To address these issues, perovskite oxides, particularly LaNiO¿, are promising as OER catalysts in alkaline media due to their structural versatility and potential for B-site substitutions. This project investigates the activity, selectivity, and stability of LaNiO¿ for OER catalysis, focusing on the evolution of the perovskite surface into NiOxHy layer as the active site and the effects of Fe and Cu substitution at the B-site. LaNiO¿-based catalysts, synthesized with and without Fe and Cu doping, will be analyzed for their catalytic behavior under working conditions. In situ inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) will be used to monitor atomic-scale dissolution processes, and in situ Raman spectroscopy will be used to monitor the surface species formed during perovskite evolution and catalytic conditions. Incorporation of the LaNiO3-based catalysts with support materials such as carbon paper and nickel foam will be evaluated for demonstrating their practical use in anion exchange membrane (AEM) single-cell electrolyzers. By examining the influence of electrolyte composition and the electrode-electrolyte interface, this study aims to establish a dynamically stable active-site model to optimize transition metal oxide catalysts for durable and efficient OER. The insights gained will contribute to the development of cost-effective and sustainable solutions for hydrogen production, supporting the transition to a renewable-based energy economy.