The electrocatalysis of oxygen evolution reaction on La1−xCaxFeO3−δ perovskites in alkaline solution

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 43; no. 9; pp. 4682 - 4690
• Main Authors: Sankannavar, Ravi, Sarkar, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2018
• Subjects: Oxidation state; Oxygen evolution reaction; Perovskite; Rietveld refinement; Water electrolysis; Perovskite; Water electrolysis; Rietveld refinement; Oxygen evolution reaction; Oxidation state
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.08.092

The electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on iron based perovskites with composition La1−xCaxFeO3−δ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) in alkaline solution has been investigated. The perovskite samples were synthesized by combustion method. Energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to determine the bulk and the surface composition, respectively. The X-ray diffraction and iodometric titration method were employed to examine the phases and the oxidation state, respectively. It was observed that incorporation of calcium (Ca2+) ions in the lattice of LaFeO3 decreases the lattice parameters and the cell volume systematically as evaluated by Rietveld method. Furthermore, increase in the degree of Ca2+ substitution from 0.0 to 1.0, increases the average oxidation state of iron from Fe3+ to Fe4+ in addition to creating oxygen vacancies. The evaluation of OER kinetics on a rotating disk electrode setup suggests that incorporation of Ca2+ decreases the activity initially (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4), but further substitution increases the activity. The maximum activity was observed for x = 1.0. This change in the OER activity suggests an interplay between the bond lengths and angles, oxygen vacancy and the average oxidation state of Fe. •Ca2+ substituted La1−xCaxFeO3−δ perovskites were used for OER in alkaline media.•Ca2+ substitution increased average oxidation state of Fe and created O2 vacancies.•Smaller ionic radius of Fe4+ contracts the lattice.•Ca2+ substitution decreases Tafel slope as well as exchange current density.