The realization of highly active and acid-stable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts that comprise earth-abundant elements will greatly expand the horizon of energy science as it enables the wider spread implementation of large-scale electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies. While transition metal oxides are particularly attractive catalyst materials due to their earth abundance, low cost, and high OER activity under neutral and basic conditions, they suffer from rapid dissolution in acidic environments. Embedding active transition metal oxide OER catalysts in acid-stable p-block metal oxide host matrices has been shown to be an effective approach for enhancing OER catalyst durability. However, the p-block metal oxides themselves may also engender OER activity owing to their favorable two-electron redox couples, providing an imperative for understanding the OER activity of unary p-block metal oxides. In this context, we have demonstrated that bismuth oxide (BiOx) is active and exceptionally stable OER catalyst in acid, underscoring the noninnocent role that main group metal oxides may play in mixed-metal OER catalysis in acidic environments.

p-Block Metal Oxide Noninnocence in the Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Acid

ACS Spring 2022

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