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Novel Non Precious Metal Electrocatalysts For Oxygen Electrode Reactions
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Book Synopsis Novel Non-Precious Metal Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Electrode Reactions by : Hui Yang
Download or read book Novel Non-Precious Metal Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Electrode Reactions written by Hui Yang and published by MDPI. This book was released on 2019-11-01 with total page 190 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Research on alternative energy harvesting technologies, conversion and storage systems with high efficiency, cost-effective and environmentally friendly systems, such as fuel cells, rechargeable metal-air batteries, unitized regenerative cells, and water electrolyzers has been stimulated by the global demand on energy. The conversion between oxygen and water plays a key step in the development of oxygen electrodes: oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), processes activated mostly by precious metals, like platinum. Their scarcity, their prohibitive cost, and declining activity greatly hamper large-scale applications. This issue reports on novel non-precious metal electrocatalysts based on the innovative design in chemical compositions, structure, and morphology, and supports for the oxygen reaction.
Book Synopsis Novel Non-Precious Metal Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Electrode Reactions by : Yongjun Feng
Download or read book Novel Non-Precious Metal Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Electrode Reactions written by Yongjun Feng and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 1 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Research on alternative energy harvesting technologies, conversion and storage systems with high efficiency, cost-effective and environmentally friendly systems, such as fuel cells, rechargeable metal-air batteries, unitized regenerative cells, and water electrolyzers has been stimulated by the global demand on energy. The conversion between oxygen and water plays a key step in the development of oxygen electrodes: oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), processes activated mostly by precious metals, like platinum. Their scarcity, their prohibitive cost, and declining activity greatly hamper large-scale applications. This issue reports on novel non-precious metal electrocatalysts based on the innovative design in chemical compositions, structure, and morphology, and supports for the oxygen reaction.
Book Synopsis Fundamentals of Electrocatalyst Materials and Interfacial Characterization by : Nicolas Alonso-Vante
Download or read book Fundamentals of Electrocatalyst Materials and Interfacial Characterization written by Nicolas Alonso-Vante and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2019-02-26 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book addresses some essential topics in the science of energy converting devices emphasizing recent aspects of nano-derived materials in the application for the protection of the environment, storage, and energy conversion. The aim, therefore, is to provide the basic background knowledge. The electron transfer process and structure of the electric double layer and the interaction of species with surfaces and the interaction, reinforced by DFT theory for the current and incoming generation of fuel cell scientists to study the interaction of the catalytic centers with their supports. The chief focus of the chapters is on materials based on precious and non-precious centers for the hydrogen electrode, the oxygen electrode, energy storage, and in remediation applications, where the common issue is the rate-determining step in multi-electron charge transfer processes in electrocatalysis. These approaches are used in a large extent in science and technology, so that each chapter demonstrates the connection of electrochemistry, in addition to chemistry, with different areas, namely, surface science, biochemistry, chemical engineering, and chemical physics.
Book Synopsis Non-Noble Metal Fuel Cell Catalysts by : Zhongwei Chen
Download or read book Non-Noble Metal Fuel Cell Catalysts written by Zhongwei Chen and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2014-04-03 with total page 448 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Written and edited by top fuel cell catalyst scientists and engineers from both industry and academia, this is the first book to provide a complete overview of this hot topic. It covers the synthesis, characterization, activity validation and modeling of different non-noble metal electrocatalysts, as well as their integration into fuel cells and their performance validation, while also discussing those factors that will drive fuel cell commercialization. With its well-structured approach, this is a must-have for researchers working on the topic, and an equally valuable companion for newcomers to the field.
Book Synopsis Metal Oxides as Electrocatalysts at Oxygen Electrodes in Electrochemical Systems by : Shuai Zhao
Download or read book Metal Oxides as Electrocatalysts at Oxygen Electrodes in Electrochemical Systems written by Shuai Zhao and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fuel cells, one of the most widely studied electrochemical energy conversion devices, together with electrolyzers, a promising energy storage system for natural renewable energy and source of purified hydrogen, have attracted significant research attention in recent years as the demand for energy continues to increase with no end to this energy expansion in sight. However, electrochemical reactions occurring at oxygen electrodes such as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have very slow kinetics, which has limited the industrialization of both fuel cells and electrolyzers because slow kinetics leads directly high reaction overpotentials. Metal oxides have been widely adopted in terms of electrocatalysts for these oxygen reactions, either as as a support to enhance the stability or activity of platinum, or as the direct catalysts for ORR and OER in alkaline media. However, what is not known is how and why metal oxides as support materials can influence the performance of precious metals through their interactions, what the active sites are for different electrochemical reactions and how to control the desired phases by manipulating the synthesis conditions. This study will probe these very important questions. Chapter 1 of this work provides a background into the ORR/OER mechanism, active sites, and catalyst candidates in electrochemical devices. Chapter 2 presents experimental approaches including material synthesis, and both physical and electrochemical characterization. Chapters 3 and 4 of this study investigate doped metal carbides and metal oxides as support materials for platinum and iridium catalysts for the ORR and OER, respectively, in acidic electrolytes. The Chapter 3 is an investigation of tungsten carbide modified with titanium as a potential non-carbon support for platinum during the ORR in acid media. Chapter 4 discusses the relationship between the synthesis parameters of iridium/iridium oxide supported on titanium-doped tungsten oxide and its durability both ex-situ in a three-electrode cell on a rotating disk electrode (RDE) and in-situ in an operating electrolyzer. Chapter 5 discusses a new method to determine the electrochemically active area of iridium oxide, one of the most common anode catalysts in commercial PEM electrolyzers, in-situ through its electrochemical psuedocapacitance. Chapter 6 probes the performance and function of tin-doped indium oxides (ITO) as a support for platinum ORR catalyst in alkaline media. Metal-support interactions were studied mainly through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements. Chapter 7 focuses on the electrocatalysis of carbon nanotube (CNT)-supported cobalt oxide for both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions in alkaline media. An optimized procedure to produce a highly stable and active bifunctional ORR/OER hybrid catalyst was developed along with an understanding of the impact of metal oxide anchoring sites and synthesis parameters on catalyst durability. This part of the study provides novel perspectives for the design of carbon-based, hybrid materials and insight into the synthesis-property relationships for these and future electrocatalysts. In summary, this work has studied metal oxides as catalysts and support materials for precious metals during aqueous oxygen reactions. Wherever possible, the fundamental cause for their behavior, including enhanced electrocatalytic activity and durability, was probed thoroughly through physical and electrochemical characterization.
Book Synopsis Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells by : Minhua Shao
Download or read book Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells written by Minhua Shao and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-04-08 with total page 748 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fuel cells are one of the most promising clean energy conversion devices that can solve the environmental and energy problems in our society. However, the high platinum loading of fuel cells - and thus their high cost - prevents their commercialization. Non- or low- platinum electrocatalysts are needed to lower the fuel cell cost. Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells: A Non and Low Platinum Approach is a comprehensive book summarizing recent advances of electrocatalysis in oxygen reduction and alcohol oxidation, with a particular focus on non- and low-Pt electrocatalysts. All twenty four chapters were written by worldwide experts in their fields. The fundamentals and applications of novel electrocatalysts are discussed thoroughly in the book. The book is geared toward researchers in the field, postgraduate students and lecturers, and scientists and engineers at fuel cell and automotive companies. It can even be a reference book for those who are interested in this area.
Book Synopsis Design and Fabrication of Non-noble-metal Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reactions by : Ji Liang
Download or read book Design and Fabrication of Non-noble-metal Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reactions written by Ji Liang and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 446 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fuel cell is a device that can directly convert the chemical energy in fuels into electricity and it has the advantages including high efficiency, high energy density and zero waste emission. However, a current fuel cell requires noble-metal catalysts (in most cased platinum, Pt) to accelerate the electrode reactions. As a result of the high cost of Pt, the commercialization of fuel cell has been severely hindered. Thus, it is exceptionally important to search for an alternative low-cost catalyst, especially on the cathode when the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) occurs and much larger amount of Pt is employed, to bring down the over-all price of a fuel cell. With this aim, this Ph.D thesis has demonstrated the design and synthesis of a serial of high -performance Pt-free catalysts based on carbon materials. These researches include: (1) We firstly designed and constructed a series of porous g-C3N4/C composite with different pore size ranging from large mesopores (ca. 12 nm) to large macropores (ca. 400 nm) and studied the structural impact of these hybrid materials on their ORR performance. In this study, we have for the first time revealed that macropores would be more favorable for ORR in such materials rather than the conventionally believed mesopores. (2) Then, we integrated short-range ordered mesopores into the walls of macropores to form a hierarchical pore structure. By incorporating graphene into this system, its electric conductivity can be enhanced. This is the first study to natively grow graphene on porous carbon. It is found that this material shows an excellent ORR performance with synergistically enhanced activities. Tafel analysis confirms that the good performance was brought from its unique structural advantages. (3) To further enhance the catalytic activity of the above materials with ideal hierarchical structures for ORR, we have introduced high active Fe-N species into the system during the fabrication. By delicate tuning of the Fe content, we are able to control the carbon nano-materials on the hierarchical porous carbon to form graphene or carbon nanotube. As a result, the catalyst has obtained a similarity high performance as Pt as a result of the successful combination of the desired merits for ORR on it. (4) Besides the optimization of materials structure, we have also doped graphene with both N and S, and studied the influence of dual dopants on its ORR activity. We found that a significant performance enhancement was achieved by dual-doping. From density function theory calculation, we found the synergistic effect was from the spin and charge densities redistribution brought by dual-doping of S and N, leading to a larger number of ORR active sites. The studies in this thesis have provided a thorough understand of the kinetic and mechanism of the ORR process on the Pt-free catalysts. The research has not only provided materials with optimized structure and high performance for ORR, but also showed an avenue on the materials' design and construction for further study.
Book Synopsis Immobilized Non-Precious Electrocatalysts for Advanced Energy Devices by : Nasser A M Barakat
Download or read book Immobilized Non-Precious Electrocatalysts for Advanced Energy Devices written by Nasser A M Barakat and published by Mdpi AG. This book was released on 2022-06-17 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The successful commercialization of advanced energy devices, including fuel cells and solar cells (e.g., dye-sensitized solar cells) is somewhat dependent on the cost, activity and durability of the electrocatalysts. Nowadays, precious metal electrodes are the most widely used. Accordingly, the manufacturing costs are relatively high, which constrains wide application. Recently, some reports have introduced some promising non-precious electrocatalysts to be exploited in both oxidation and reduction reactions. It was concluded that immobilization of the functional material on a proper support can distinctly improve catalytic activity. Moreover, due to the synergetic effect, metallic alloy nanoparticles show very good electrocatalytic activity in this regard. This Special Issue aims to cover the most recent progress and the advances in the field of the immobilized non-precious electrocatalysts. This includes, but is not limited to, non-precious electrocatalysts for alcohol (methanol, ethanol, etc.) oxidation, oxygen reduction reaction and electrolyte reduction in dye-sensitized solar cells.
Book Synopsis Electrocatalysts for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Evolution by : Abhijit Ray
Download or read book Electrocatalysts for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Evolution written by Abhijit Ray and published by BoD – Books on Demand. This book was released on 2018-12-05 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book starts with a theoretical understanding of electrocatalysis in the framework of density functional theory followed by a vivid review of oxygen reduction reactions. A special emphasis has been placed on electrocatalysts for a proton-exchange membrane-based fuel cell where graphene with noble metal dispersion plays a significant role in electron transfer at thermodynamically favourable conditions. The latter part of the book deals with two 2D materials with high economic viability and process ability and MoS2 and WS2 for their prospects in water-splitting from renewable energy.
Download or read book Oxide Surfaces written by and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2001-05-21 with total page 677 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book is a multi-author survey (in 15 chapters) of the current state of knowledge and recent developments in our understanding of oxide surfaces. The author list includes most of the acknowledged world experts in this field. The material covered includes fundamental theory and experimental studies of the geometrical, vibrational and electronic structure of such surfaces, but with a special emphasis on the chemical properties and associated reactivity. The main focus is on metal oxides but coverage extends from 'simple' rocksalt materials such as MgO through to complex transition metal oxides with different valencies.
Book Synopsis Advanced Electrocatalysts for Low-Temperature Fuel Cells by : Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Varela
Download or read book Advanced Electrocatalysts for Low-Temperature Fuel Cells written by Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Varela and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-10-09 with total page 318 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book introduces the reader to the state of the art in nanostructured anode and cathode electrocatalysts for low-temperature acid and alkaline fuel cells. It explores the electrocatalysis of anode (oxidation of organic molecules) and cathode (oxygen reduction) reactions. It also offers insights into metal-carbon interactions, correlating them with the catalytic activity of the electrochemical reactions. The book explores the electrocatalytic behaviour of materials based on noble metals and their alloys, as well as metal-metal oxides and metal-free nanostructures. It also discusses the surface and structural modification of carbon supports to enhance the catalytic activity of electrocatalysts for fuel-cell reactions.
Book Synopsis Non-precious Metal Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells by : Deepika Singh
Download or read book Non-precious Metal Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells written by Deepika Singh and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The growth process of nitrogen-doped carbon nano-structures (CNx) was studied using in-situ and ex-situ characterization techniques. It was found that the Co phase was seen to go through different transformations during the pyrolysis process, depending on the growth substrate used. CNx fibers that formed were acid-washed, and the structure of CNx obtained as well as the nitrogen content was significantly different on the two substrates, which led to activity differences seen in RRDE.
Book Synopsis Electrocatalysis for Membrane Fuel Cells by : Nicolas Alonso-Vante
Download or read book Electrocatalysis for Membrane Fuel Cells written by Nicolas Alonso-Vante and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2023-12-11 with total page 581 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Electrocatalysis for Membrane Fuel Cells Comprehensive resource covering hydrogen oxidation reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, classes of electrocatalytic materials, and characterization methods Electrocatalysis for Membrane Fuel Cells focuses on all aspects of electrocatalysis for energy applications, covering perspectives as well as the low-temperature fuel systems principles, with main emphasis on hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Following an introduction to basic principles of electrochemistry for electrocatalysis with attention to the methods to obtain the parameters crucial to characterize these systems, Electrocatalysis for Membrane Fuel Cells covers sample topics such as: Electrocatalytic materials and electrode configurations, including precious versus non-precious metal centers, stability and the role of supports for catalytic nano-objects; Fundamentals on characterization techniques of materials and the various classes of electrocatalytic materials; Theoretical explanations of materials and systems using both Density Functional Theory (DFT) and molecular modelling; Principles and methods in the analysis of fuel cells systems, fuel cells integration and subsystem design. Electrocatalysis for Membrane Fuel Cells quickly and efficiently introduces the field of electrochemistry, along with synthesis and testing in prototypes of materials, to researchers and professionals interested in renewable energy and electrocatalysis for chemical energy conversion.
Book Synopsis Non-precious Metal Based Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers by : Urszula Tylus
Download or read book Non-precious Metal Based Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers written by Urszula Tylus and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 111 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a key process in various electrochemical energy conversion devices such as fuel cells and metal batteries as it enables CO2-free electrical energy generation. One of the major challenges in these devices is the sluggish kinetics of ORR and thus the need for stable and highly active electrocatalysts. The currently utilized catalytic materials are based on precious group metals (PGM), including platinum, rhodium, or silver. Although the PGM-based catalysts are highly active and reasonably stable under harsh acidic fuel cell conditions, the PGM-systems contribute to high cost of the energy conversion device. This is further aggravated by the high sensitivity of the PGM-catalysts to the presence of small amounts of impurities in the real world environment causing performance decay. These challenges pushed researchers to look for a cost-effective and highly active alternate catalyst materials based on non-precious group metals (non-PGM). Currently, the most promising non-PGM systems are comprised of transition metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) containing catalysts. Despite several decades of effort to obtain the "perfect" M-N-C catalyst, there is still a fair amount of work to be done mainly towards understanding the origin of ORR activity in these complex M-N-C systems. The objective in these studies is to design the optimal active structure that is able to provide high and selective performance sustained even in very corrosive environments. Element-specific in-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) coupled with standard electrochemical methodology (mainly Rotating Ring Disc Eelectrode, RRDE) is a great tool to study surface active catalytic systems. With a careful experimental design, "in-situ" XAS is able to provide very useful mechanistic information regarding structural properties of the active centers and their behavior in simulated electrochemical environments. Chapter 1 contains a brief description of fundamental aspects of the oxygen reduction reaction, and related challenges. This includes: electrolyte-dependent general description of the ORR mechanistic pathways, and currently known relations between electronic/structural properties of known PGM and non-PGM materials and their catalytic activity. The major electroanalytical and spectroscopic techniques are also discussed, aiming to provide introductory information to the reader needed to understand the experimental work discussed in the following chapters. As the main point of interest is ORR kinetics, which comprise the performance and degradation modes in an aqueous environment, Chapter 2 discusses comparative characteristics of mechanistic ORR pathways (in acid and alkaline media) with a group of the M-N-C catalysts synthesized via various routes. The electroanalytical studies shown in Chapter 2 are followed by more detailed mechanistic investigations (in Chapter 3) wherein the ORR kinetics on the M-N-C catalysts is investigated using "in-situ" spectro-electrochemical XAS methodologies of transition metal centers. Different forms of the metals and their mechanistic roles are investigated by ORR kinetic studies and behavioral monitoring after selective removal or blocking each of the moieties. The information obtained by the mechanistic studies are used in Chapter 4 to discuss the effect of chloride anions on the overall M-N-C activity with the aim to predict their potential use as O2-consuming cathodes in industrial environments involving presence of the chloride species, known to be a strong poison for platinum-based catalysts. Finally, Chapter 5 shows performance non-PGM catalysts developed at NEU based on carbon supported polymer and self-supported Metal Organic Framework (MOF) iron comprising M-N-C catalysts as oxygen depolarized cathodes for recycling of chlorine gas from hydrochloric acid, a common bi-product in industrial chemical plants. Chapter 5 discusses structure-property relationship of the M-N-C catalysts, and their iron-based active centers to overall catalytic performance and stability in such corrosive environment as concentrated hydrochloric acid. The Chapter 5 also covers a promising preliminary study of utilization of the M-N-C catalysts as Oxygen De-polarized Cathodes (ODC) in the chlor-alkali process for Cl2-production. Finally, Chapter 6 summarized the work presented here and discusses future perspectives for applications of the non-PGM catalysts.
Book Synopsis Nano-electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction by : Omar Solorza Feria
Download or read book Nano-electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction written by Omar Solorza Feria and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2024-06-21 with total page 350 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Global warming switches our reliance from fossil fuels to green, sustainable renewable energy sources. Because of its promising nature, high-efficiency nano-electrocatalysts have sparked interest in renewable energy. Hydrogen fuel cell/polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) vehicles are the most environmentally conscious electromobility vehicles, with a high energy density and quick refuelling technology, prompting the auto industry to launch a variety of PEM fuel cell vehicles around the world. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) primary research interests include fuel cells and metal-air batteries. The sluggish kinetic reaction of ORR, which is responsible for the rate-limiting reaction at the PEM fuel cell cathodic system, further decreases energy efficiency. Optimising ORR for market expansion with cost-effective and efficient nano-electrocatalysts, on the other hand, remains a challenge. The book covers fundamental ORR reaction kinetics theories, tools, and techniques. It also explains the nano electrocatalysts for ORR made of noble, non-noble, and nanocarbon materials. Finally, the book explores the applications of PEM fuel cells and metal-air batteries.
Book Synopsis Recent Trends in Fuel Cell Science and Technology by : S. Basu
Download or read book Recent Trends in Fuel Cell Science and Technology written by S. Basu and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2007-10-20 with total page 383 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book covers all the proposed fuel cell systems including PEMFC, SOFC, PAFC, MCFC, regenerative fuel cells, direct alcohol fuel cells, and small fuel cells to replace batteries.
Book Synopsis Towards Molecular Level Insights Into Oxygen Electrocatalysis on Non-stoichiometric Mixed Metal Oxide Electrocatalysts by : Samji Samira
Download or read book Towards Molecular Level Insights Into Oxygen Electrocatalysis on Non-stoichiometric Mixed Metal Oxide Electrocatalysts written by Samji Samira and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this dissertation, a multifaceted approach involving detailed kinetic studies, an arsenal of characterization techniques, and atomistic simulations were combined to allow for interpretation of macroscopic reactivity and stability trends of heterogeneous electrocatalysts. Specifically, atomic scale insights were developed to understand the key factors that govern electrochemical transformations of molecular oxygen via its reduction and evolution reactions (ORR/OER). These oxygen-based electrochemical reactions were chosen as probe reactions because they are central for sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies in regenerative H2-fuel cells and Li-O2 batteries. Currently, these reactions are catalyzed by cost-prohibitive Pt and Ir-based catalysts, thus limiting the widespread adoption of these technologies. Non-precious metal containing non-stoichiometric mixed metal oxides of the general form An+1BnO3n+1 (A = alkaline earth/rare earth metal; B = transition metal; n = 1, 2, 3, ...∞) remain a high interest class of electrocatalytic materials for catalyzing these reactions. These oxides are compositionally versatile and can accommodate >90% of the metals in the periodic table, allowing for practically limitless opportunities to tune their catalytic performance. However, lack of effective design strategies that can link the initial oxide composition with their resulting catalytic activity and stability has hampered their development. To overcome these limitations, local surface electronic structure of the active centers in these oxides were probed both experimentally and theoretically and correlated to their resulting electrochemical activity and stability towards ORR/OER. To begin with, the effect of different 3d transition metals in these oxides, on their ORR performance was studied. It was found that the strength of metal–oxygen bonds in the surface of the oxide, as described by the oxide surface reducibility was crucial in determining their electrocatalytic performance. It was found that LaMnO3 provides the optimal metal–oxygen bond strength, consequently leading to enhanced ORR performance. Further, the differences in the metal–oxygen bond strength in these oxides was exploited to effectively tailor the electronic structure of infinitesimal amounts of 4d/5d metal cations. This was shown to switch catalytically inert Rh and supported Rh oxides into highly active cationic centers in LaNi1-xRhxO3 (0.01≤x≤0.02) for ORR. On the other hand, the surfaces of these oxides were found to be dynamic in nature during OER. Consequently, a link between the initial oxide composition and the dynamic factors that control the catalytic activity toward OER was developed. Finally, a fundamental framework to investigate electrocatalysis at solid-solid interfaces between an oxide electrocatalyst and the solid discharge products in Li-O2 batteries was also developed. The rational design strategies developed in this dissertation clearly outlines the impact of investigating the surface electronic structure of heterogenous catalysts and correlating it with their catalytic performance. Although, the insights developed here were specifically for oxygen electrocatalysis on non-stoichiometric mixed metal oxides, the principles used here can be extended to other catalytic systems, as well as other targeted reaction chemistries. This leads to a bottom-up approach of catalyst design, rather than a trial and error one
