Chapter 7 - Interfaces joining for modifying transition metal oxides

Abstract

In order to construct high-performance catalysts, the structure–activity relationship between catalyst structure and performance is a more worthy research direction. The research of electrocatalyst material design strategy can be divided into two kinds. The first strategy is to increase the number of active sites on the electrode surface at the nanometer level; the second strategy is to enhance the intrinsic activity of the electrocatalyst, such as using interface effects, introducing defects, and inducing crystal phase transitions. Both strategies can effectively improve the reaction activity of the electrocatalyst. The second strategy is to directly increase the effective intrinsic activity of the electrode to achieve the purpose of improving the material activity and effectively avoid the physical limitation caused by excessively high active sites. Generally speaking, in this heterogeneous catalytic reaction model, there are three different types of interfaces. The inner boundary between the components in the mixed catalyst; the interface between the electrolyte and the catalyst; the interface between the catalyst and the electrode or other substrate materials. In the material design strategy, rational design and control of these interfaces can effectively increase the number of exposed active sites, promote synergy, improve the contact between the electrolyte and the catalyst, etc., thereby further improving the catalytic activity of the electrocatalyst in the catalyst.