Rational Design of Nanostructured Earth-Abundant Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion Applications
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Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Zhao, Huijun
Other Supervisors
Zhang, Haimin
Wang, Yun
Year published
2016
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Electrocatalysis contributes to a huge extent in a large array of research fields and applications, including corrosion science, electroanalytical sensors, wastewater treatment, electro-organic synthesis and more importantly, energy conversion applications. Of the many electrocatalytic processes, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and triiodide reduction reaction (IRR) are of widespread importance in electrochemical cells and dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs). OER is a key half reaction in electrochemical water splitting, direct solar-to-electricity driven water splitting and metal-air batteries. The high cost of efficient ...
View more >Electrocatalysis contributes to a huge extent in a large array of research fields and applications, including corrosion science, electroanalytical sensors, wastewater treatment, electro-organic synthesis and more importantly, energy conversion applications. Of the many electrocatalytic processes, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and triiodide reduction reaction (IRR) are of widespread importance in electrochemical cells and dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs). OER is a key half reaction in electrochemical water splitting, direct solar-to-electricity driven water splitting and metal-air batteries. The high cost of efficient benchmark electrocatalysts, such as RuO2 or IrO2, however, is a major drawback of OERs. While, IRR plays a significant role in DSSCs, which must be electrocatalysed at the counter electrode to complete the external circuit in real devices and thereby successfully convert solar energy to electricity. Traditionally, Pt is accepted as an ideal benchmark electrocatalyst for IRR, but its high cost and scarcity limits broad application of DSSCs. Thus, extensive effort has been made to find active alternative electrocatalysts with low-cost, high electrocatalytic activity and excellent stability for OER and IRR to the noble metals (Ru, Ir and Pt). Therefore, a rational design of earth-abundant and low-cost electrocatalysts for OER and IRR maintains a paramount significance for energy conversion applications to meet the constantly growing demand for energy supply.
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View more >Electrocatalysis contributes to a huge extent in a large array of research fields and applications, including corrosion science, electroanalytical sensors, wastewater treatment, electro-organic synthesis and more importantly, energy conversion applications. Of the many electrocatalytic processes, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and triiodide reduction reaction (IRR) are of widespread importance in electrochemical cells and dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs). OER is a key half reaction in electrochemical water splitting, direct solar-to-electricity driven water splitting and metal-air batteries. The high cost of efficient benchmark electrocatalysts, such as RuO2 or IrO2, however, is a major drawback of OERs. While, IRR plays a significant role in DSSCs, which must be electrocatalysed at the counter electrode to complete the external circuit in real devices and thereby successfully convert solar energy to electricity. Traditionally, Pt is accepted as an ideal benchmark electrocatalyst for IRR, but its high cost and scarcity limits broad application of DSSCs. Thus, extensive effort has been made to find active alternative electrocatalysts with low-cost, high electrocatalytic activity and excellent stability for OER and IRR to the noble metals (Ru, Ir and Pt). Therefore, a rational design of earth-abundant and low-cost electrocatalysts for OER and IRR maintains a paramount significance for energy conversion applications to meet the constantly growing demand for energy supply.
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Thesis Type
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Degree Program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
Griffith School of Environment
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Item Access Status
Public
Subject
Electrocatalysis
Energy conversion
Oxygen evolution reaction (OER)
Triiodide reduction reaction (IRR)
dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs)
Nanostructures