Affiliation:
1. State Key Laboratory of Organic–Inorganic Composites and College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China caod@mail.buct.edu.cn
2. State Key Laboratory of Organic–Inorganic Composites and College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Abstract
The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) play pivotal roles in energy devices such as electrochemical water splitting, rechargeable zinc–air batteries, and fuel cells. However, the slow kinetics lead to a large overpotential being required for these three reactions because they all involve multi-electron transfers. In addition, the cathode of rechargeable zinc–air batteries needs to be switched between ORR and OER during the charging and discharging processes, so it is necessary to use dual-function ORR/OER electrocatalysts. The application of OER/HER bifunctional electrocatalysts could reduce the costs of water-splitting devices. Therefore, to advance the application of rechargeable zinc–air batteries and water electrolyzers, it is of great importance to develop trifunctional electrocatalysts with excellent catalytic activity for ORR, OER, and HER. In this chapter, the approaches to the classification and construction of trifunctional catalysts are explored in depth, which is important for their future development.
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry