Front Cover: An Intermetallic CaFe6Ge6 Approach to Unprecedented Ca−Fe−O Electrocatalyst for Efficient Alkaline Oxygen Evolution Reaction (ChemCatChem 14/2022)

Abstract

The Front Cover shows an unprecedented heterostructured Ca−Fe−O electrocatalyst (α-FeIIIOOH@CaCO3) for efficient alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In their Research Article, P. W. Menezes and co-workers transform a novel intermetallic CaFe6Ge6 precatalyst into a core (residual CaFe6Ge6)- shell (reconstructed Ca−Fe−O) structure by anodic activation. The comprehensive ex-situ characterizations and quasi in-situ Raman reveal that surface Fe is the active site for OER while Ca acts as a promoter for adsorption and transport of hydroxyl species, deprotonation of the OER reaction intermediates, as well as the eventual formation of O2. Moreover, the oxidative leaching of Ge from the precatalyst surface provides porous morphology, more access to exposed active sites, and an increased specific surface area, whereas its conductivity is largely preserved by the remained CaFe6Ge6 core. This work highlights the promoter effect of redox-inert metals on alkaline OER and demonstrates how such metals can play an essential role in improving the overall catalytic activity. More information can be found in the Research Article by P. W. Menezes and co-workers.