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Ferroelectric electrocatalysts: a new class of materials for oxygen evolution reaction with synergistic effect of ferroelectric polarization

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Abstract

We exploit the role of the remnant polarization to improve the electrocatalytic performance of ferroelectric perovskite. We report cost-effective, noble metal-free, ferroelectric electrocatalyst Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 and the effect of remnant polarization on oxygen evolution reaction involved in alkaline fuel cells. The forward poling decreases the Tafel slope from 85 mv/decade to 39 mv/decade and also increases the mass activity by threefold. The effect of polarization on flat-band potential and the Schottky barrier between electrode and electrolyte contributes to enhanced electrochemical activity.

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Acknowledgements

One of the authors (Rahul Vaish) acknowledges the support from the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) under Young Scientist Project Scheme (SP/YSP/102/2014/1065).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India

    H. S. Kushwaha & Rahul Vaish

  2. School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India

    Aditi Halder

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Correspondence to Rahul Vaish.

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Kushwaha, H.S., Halder, A. & Vaish, R. Ferroelectric electrocatalysts: a new class of materials for oxygen evolution reaction with synergistic effect of ferroelectric polarization. J Mater Sci 53, 1414–1423 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-017-1611-7

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