(Keynote) Electrocatalysis on Nanostructured Metal Oxides

Abstract

Understanding of processes that are behind the mechanism for electrochemical evolution of hydrogen and oxygen from water is considered critical in for further advancement of materials that could be implemented in electrolyzers. Atomic scale insight at well-defined interfaces provides invaluable guidance to overcome limitations in operating efficiency of these devices. All of that points towards the need for development of more active, durable and cost effective oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts. Metal oxides are emerging as promising group of materials that could deliver desirable performance. While majority of research is placed on the catalyst design and synthesis aiming to improve their efficiency, not too much was done to resolve and understand the role of liquid phase including trace level of impurities or dopants. Molecular species from the electrolyte and the nature of their interaction with the catalyst surface will also be thoroughly discussed. The knowledge acquired from two-dimensional surfaces has been used to create real-world catalysts with superior properties.