This book describes a science and technology of a new type of electrocatalysts consisting of a single atomic layer of platinum on suitable supports. This development helped overcome three major obstacles—catalysts‘ cost, activity, and stability—for a broad range of fuel cell applications. The volume begins with a short introduction to the science of electrocatalysis, covering four reactions important for energy conversion in fuel cells. A description follows of the properties of metal monolayers on electrode surfaces, and underpotential deposition of metals. The authors then describe the concept of Pt monolayer electrocatalysts and its implications and their synthesis by galvanic displacement of less-noble metal monolayers and other methods. The main part of the book presents a discussion of catalysts’ characterization and catalytic properties of Pt monolayers for the four main reactions of electrochemical energy conversion: oxygen reduction and oxidation of hydrogen, methanol and ethanol. The book concludes with a treatment of scale-up syntheses, fuel cell tests, catalysts’ stability and application prospects.

The series Topics in Current Chemistry Collections presents critical reviews from the journal Topics in Current Chemistry organized in topical volumes. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience.Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field.

Metal Oxides and Related Solids for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting reviews the fundamentals and strategies needed to design and fabricate metal oxide-based electrocatalysts. After an introduction to the key properties of transition metal oxides, materials engineering methods to optimize the performance of metal-oxide based electrocatalysts are discussed. Strategies reviewed include defect engineering, interface engineering and doping engineering. Other sections cover important categories of metal-oxide (and related solids) based catalysts, including layered hydroxides, metal chalcogenides, metal phosphides, metal nitrides, metal borides, and more. Each chapter introduces important properties and material design strategies, including composite and morphology design. There is also an emphasis on cost-effective materials design and fabrication for optimized performance for electrocatalytic water splitting applications. Lastly, the book touches on recently developed in-situ characterization methods applied to observe and control the material synthesis process. - Introduces metal oxide-based materials for electrocatalytic water splitting applications, including their key properties, synthesis, design and fabrication strategies - Reviews the most relevant materials design strategies, including defect engineering, interface engineering, and doping engineering - Discusses the pros and cons of metal oxide-based materials for water splitting applications to aid in materials selection

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.

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.

Nanomaterials have become a key component for energy-related applications. Their design principle, synthesis and applications are well discussed in various scientific and engineering books, but a gap remains in discussions regarding the application of cutting-edge X-ray techniques to these materials. This volume provides insights from the latest development of X-ray techniques to investigate nanomaterials in specific energy fields, bridging the gap between X-ray analytical scientists and material researchers.We aim to provide researchers with a tool to choose suitable X-ray techniques, carry them out with the right procedure, and analyze the data to give the best reliable results. The approach is microscopic and specific. Among the applications emphasized by the chapters in this book are x-ray techniques in heterogeneous catalysis, electrocatalysis for fuel cells, photocatalysis for water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction, organic photovoltaics, and other energy-related applications.

Fifth volume of a 40 volume series on nanoscience and nanotechnology, edited by the renowned scientist Challa S.S.R. Kumar. This handbook gives a comprehensive overview about X-ray and Neutron Techniques for Nanomaterials Characterization. Modern applications and state-of-the-art techniques are covered and make this volume an essential reading for research scientists in academia and industry.