Dwindling fuel resources and high levels of CO2 emissions have increased the need for renewable energy resources and more efficient energy conversion and storage systems. Our goal is to design active, selective and stable electrocatalysts for energy generation and storage technologies. We employ a combined experimental and theoretical approach to study processes at the gas/solid and liquid/solid interfaces with the aim of guiding the development of efficient and environmentally friendly materials for chemical energy conversion and storage. Herein we will discuss our work on developing active and stable electrocatalysts for electrolysis of stable molecules such as CO2 and H2O using solid oxide electrolyzers and oxygen evolution reaction in Li-air batteries. We have combined experimental (synthesis and characterization) techniques and theoretical calculations to shed light on the elementary processes that govern the performance and stability of these electrocatalysts. Based on this understanding we devised ways to improve the performance and stability of these materials.

Molecular approaches toward the development of efficient heterogeneous electrocatalysts

247th National Meeting (2014)

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