Transition Metal Oxides: OER Catalysis

This lecture discusses the role of transition metal oxides as electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline solutions, focusing on the active sites in Fe-free and Fe-doped Ni oxides. The study uses ultrathin layered double hydroxides (LDH) as samples to reveal different reaction sites, highlighting the involvement of lattice oxygen and Ni00 species. The findings provide insights into the mechanism of the OER by benchmark NiFeO catalyst. Various techniques such as in situ Raman spectroscopy and isotope labeling experiments are employed to elucidate the catalytic activity and stability of the catalysts. The lecture also addresses the pH-dependence of OER activity and the challenges in integrating molecular catalysts into practical devices.