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Electrocatalysis in Alkaline Media and Alkaline Membrane-Based Energy Technologies
Yao Yang1, Cheyenne R Peltier1, Rui Zeng1
1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.
Chemical Reviews
|February 8, 2022
Summary
This review explores alkaline electrocatalysis for renewable energy, focusing on alkaline fuel cells and water electrolyzers. Understanding interfacial water and catalyst-support interactions is key to developing efficient, durable, and precious-metal-free hydrogen energy technologies.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemical energy conversion
- Renewable energy technologies
- Catalysis in alkaline media
Background:
- Hydrogen energy offers a transition from fossil fuels to renewables.
- Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) allow nonprecious catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), unlike proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).
- Hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) kinetics are slower in alkaline than acidic media, necessitating fundamental understanding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the fundamentals of electrocatalysis in alkaline media.
- To discuss applications in alkaline fuel cells and water electrolyzers.
- To provide a roadmap for advancing alkaline electrochemical energy conversion.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical and experimental methods to study molecular-level thermodynamics and kinetics.
- Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies on Pt and metal oxides.
- Operando/in situ methods and ab initio simulations.
Main Results:
- Interfacial water structure and reactivity are key kinetic factors for HOR and ORR.
- Catalyst-support interactions enhance accessibility and durability.
- Advancements in alkaline membranes enable AEMFCs to match or exceed PEMFC performance.
Conclusions:
- Understanding proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) in alkaline media is crucial.
- Optimizing catalyst-ionomer-membrane integration via membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) is important.
- The goal is ultralow or precious-metal-free, high-performance, and durable alkaline fuel cells.
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