I. Barauskienė “Synthesis, structure and electrochemical properties of cobalt oxide films” doctoral thesis defence

Author, Institution: Ieva Barauskienė, Kaunas University of Technology

Science area, field of science: Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P

Scientific Supervisor:
Prof. Dr. Eugenijus Valatka (Kaunas University of Technology, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P),

Dissertation Defence Board of Chemistry Science Field:
prof. habil. dr. Algirdas Šačkus (Kaunas University of Technology, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P), chairman,
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Egidijus Griškonis (Kaunas University of Technology, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P),
Prof. Dr. Vytas Martynaitis (Kaunas University of Technology, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P),
Prof. Dr. Habil. Rimantas Ramanauskas (Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology,  Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P),
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jolanta Rousseau (Artois University, France, technological sciences, chemical engineering, 05T).

The doctoral dissertation is available at the library of Kaunas University of Technology (K. Donelaičio St. 20, Kaunas).

Annotation:

The ever increasing energy demands along with sustainable consumption and environmental concerns require searching for alternative energy sources. Hydrogen, as a clean fuel, is one of the most promising materials to fulfill all of these requirements, especially if synthesized during water electrolysis while using renewable energy. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a half reaction of electrochemical water splitting coupled with hydrogen production. However, these reactions are kinetically sluggish in nature and typically require overpotential of thermodynamically calculated potential for water splitting, therefore, an effective electrocatalyst is needed. The transition metal-based OER catalysts, especially cobalt and nickel containing spinel-type oxide compounds, are a reasonable choice due to their photo- and electrocatalytic activity in OER, good stability and relative abundance. α-cobalt and nickel oxide compounds are also distinguished with good pseudocapacitive properties. As the surface area is one of the most important parameters in the design of electrocatalytic cells or supercapacitors, the formation of a 3D structure of the active substance on different conductive supports increases the activity in the oxygen evolution reaction as well as the specific capacitance. Electrodeposition, as an easy, environmentally friendly and relatively cheap synthesis technique, enables to form thin and evenly distributed layers of active materials having a large surface area.