Degradation control of perovskite oxide OER catalysts under dynamic operation conditions via advanced operando characterization and orbital-d-band engineering

A thorough understanding of surface transformations during (electro)catalytic processes under dynamic reaction conditions is of outstanding importance for knowledge-based further development of catalyst design. Friction force microscopy makes it possible to obtain material-specific information under electrochemical conditions with high spatial resolution. In this project, the goal is to transfer the measurement method, which is reliable on pure metal samples, to epitaxial perovskite thin films. To do this, we simultaneously record cyclic voltammograms and friction cycles, so-called frictorgrams. This means that frictional force can be directly correlated with the applied electrode potential. We use the technology on various perovskites such as lanthanum-strontium cobaltates, ferrates and manganese and obtain the data obtained using X-ray near-edge absorption spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements. In this priority program of the German Research Foundation, the IEK-9 cooperates with the University of Münster and the Peter Grünberg Center, Jülich.