Electrochemistry on the Edge: Advancing High Oxidation Power Materials for Applications at Strongly Oxidizing Potentials

Abstract

High oxidation power (HOP) materials such as lead(IV) oxide (PbO2), antimony-doped tin(IV) oxide (ATO), Magnéli phase titanium oxides (MPTOs), and boron-doped diamond (BDD) are important for advancing electrochemical technologies for clean water and energy applications. Specifically, these include electrocatalytic materials for electrolyzers for water treatment applications and electrosynthesis applications, supports for electrocatalysts for fuel cells and electrolyzers for hydrogen production and electrosyntheses, and electrically-conductive filler in batteries. However, issues of toxicity (PbO2), stability (ATO, MPTOs), and cost (BDD) must be addressed if HOPs are to be more-broadly used as alternatives to carbon-based materials. The Wilkinson group at the University of British Columbia has recently prepared transition metal doped Ti4O7, a MPTO, which exhibits improved characteristics as an electrode material [1,2]. Specifically, thermogravimetric analysis and electrochemical accelerated life testing (Figs. a & b, respectively), illustrate its superior resistance to oxidation while use of the 4-point probes method reveals greater electrical conductivity relative to pristine Ti4O7. The preparation of these materials and their characterization as well as their eventual incorporation into electrochemical devices for clean water and energy applications will be discussed. Figure 1