Proceedings of MATSUS23 & Sustainable Technology Forum València (STECH23) (MATSUS23)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29363/nanoge.matsus.2023.128
Publication date: 22nd December 2022
The activity of electrocatalysts during water electrolysis is controlled by their surface chemistry. The control of the surface structure and composition of an electrocatalyst requires understanding of the solid state reactions that govern the formation of the surface and bulk during synthesis. Probing these reactions requires characterization that can cover multiple length scales, from the nanoscale near-surface layer to the mesoscale phase behavior.
In my talk, I will discuss how the phase evolution of oxide electrocatalysts across different length scales can be probed using a combination of scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Specifically, my talk will address the formation of (La,Sr)CoO3 nano- and meso-scale particles that are often used as electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction. The impact of the size and phase state of precursors as well as the time-temperature heat treatment profile on the resulting surface and bulk chemistry of the nanoparticles will be discussed.