Activating iron: unraveling the interplay of oxidation state and structure in nano-size perovskites for water oxidation
Novo Nordisk Foundation
University of Copenhagen
To replace coal and oil with variable wind and solar power, we need large-scale electricity storage. Power-to-X technologies that make hydrogen from excess green electricity offer a solution. Powered by electricity, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen, with catalysts reducing the electricity needed. Current catalysts use rare and toxic elements like iridium or nickel. We propose iron as a cheap, non-toxic alternative, but it needs improvement. This project explores how to activate iron for better water splitting. We will explore different iron oxides, introducing additional elements to study their affect on the performance. To better understand iron’s activity, we will use intense X-rays from synchrotron facilities to “look into” the structure of the working catalyst. This will help us grasp how the catalyst functions and the structures it forms when operating. We want to use this newfound knowledge to design cost-effective, readily available, and efficient iron-based catalysts.
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