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.

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.

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.

Meeting the need for a text on solutions to conditions which have so far been a drawback for this important and trend-setting technology, this monograph places special emphasis on novel, alternative catalysts of low temperature fuel cells. Comprehensive in its coverage, the text discusses not only the electrochemical, mechanistic, and material scientific background, but also provides extensive chapters on the design and fabrication of electrocatalysts. A valuable resource aimed at multidisciplinary audiences in the fields of academia and industry.

Meeting the need for a text on solutions to conditions which have so far been a drawback for this important and trend-setting technology, this monograph places special emphasis on novel, alternative catalysts of low temperature fuel cells. Comprehensive in its coverage, the text discusses not only the electrochemical, mechanistic, and material scientific background, but also provides extensive chapters on the design and fabrication of electrocatalysts. A valuable resource aimed at multidisciplinary audiences in the fields of academia and industry.

Oxygen Reduction Reaction: Fundamentals, Materials and Applications covers the design, synthesis and performance efficacies of the entire spectrum of oxygen reduction catalysts, extrapolating down to their applications in practical, alternative, renewable energy devices. Catalysts covered include heme inspired iron-based, heme inspired non-iron-based, non-heme-based, noble metal-based, non-noble metal-based and metal-free homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. The book contains critical analyses and opinions from experts around the world, making it of interest to scientists, engineers, industrialists, entrepreneurs and students. - Discusses the fundamental aspects of oxygen reduction reactions - Offers a comprehensive analysis of the choice and development of catalyst materials for oxygen reduction reaction - Reviews emerging catalyst systems for oxygen reduction reaction - Includes analyses of catalytic performance parameters to evaluate their efficacy in oxygen reduction reactions under varied operating conditions - Covers the importance of oxygen reduction reaction catalysts and processes in real-life applications

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.