This book addresses some essential topics in the science of energy converting devices emphasizing recent aspects of nano-derived materials in the application for the protection of the environment, storage, and energy conversion. The aim, therefore, is to provide the basic background knowledge. The electron transfer process and structure of the electric double layer and the interaction of species with surfaces and the interaction, reinforced by DFT theory for the current and incoming generation of fuel cell scientists to study the interaction of the catalytic centers with their supports. The chief focus of the chapters is on materials based on precious and non-precious centers for the hydrogen electrode, the oxygen electrode, energy storage, and in remediation applications, where the common issue is the rate-determining step in multi-electron charge transfer processes in electrocatalysis. These approaches are used in a large extent in science and technology, so that each chapter demonstrates the connection of electrochemistry, in addition to chemistry, with different areas, namely, surface science, biochemistry, chemical engineering, and chemical physics.

This book addresses some essential topics in the science of energy converting devices emphasizing recent aspects of nano-derived materials in the application for the protection of the environment, storage, and energy conversion. The aim, therefore, is to provide the basic background knowledge. The electron transfer process and structure of the electric double layer and the interaction of species with surfaces and the interaction, reinforced by DFT theory for the current and incoming generation of fuel cell scientists to study the interaction of the catalytic centers with their supports. The chief focus of the chapters is on materials based on precious and non-precious centers for the hydrogen electrode, the oxygen electrode, energy storage, and in remediation applications, where the common issue is the rate-determining step in multi-electron charge transfer processes in electrocatalysis. These approaches are used in a large extent in science and technology, so that each chapter demonstrates the connection of electrochemistry, in addition to chemistry, with different areas, namely, surface science, biochemistry, chemical engineering, and chemical physics.

Preface vii1 Physics, Chemistry and Surface Properties 11.1 Introduction 11.2 The Electrochemical Interface 21.2.1 Conductivity and Electrical Field: Metal Versus Electrolyte 31.2.2 Magnitude of Double Layer Capacitance 61.3 Energy in Solids and Liquids: Junction Formation 91.4 Surface Reactivity of Low-Index Planes 141.5 Electron Charge-Transfer Reactions 181.5.1 Hydrogen Electrode vs. Oxygen Electrode 211.5.2 Organic-Fuels vs. Oxygen Electrode 221.6 The Effect of CN- Surface Coordination on Low-Index Pt Surface: ORR 26References 292 Computational Chemistry for Electro-Catalysis 352.1 Introduction 352.2 Scope and Limitations of Different Models 392.2.1 Clusters 402.2.2 Slabs 492.2.3 Nanoparticles 592.3 Influence of the Support in Electrocatalysis 64References 693 The Hydrogen Electrode Reaction 753.1 Introduction 753.2 Thermodynamics 773.3 Hydrogen Evolution Reaction-HER 783.3.1 HER on Platinum Catalytic Center 853.3.2 HER on Non-Noble Metal Catalyst Centers 903.4 Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction-HOR 1003.4.1 HOR on Precious Metal Centers 1083.4.2 HOR on Non-Precious Metal Centers 119References 1244 Oxygen Reduction/Evolution Reaction 1434.1 Introduction 1434.2 Electrolyzer Thermodynamics 1464.3 Oxygen Reduction Reaction 1484.3.1 ORR Pt-Based Nano-Structure Materials 1574.3.2 Reaction Pathways 1594.3.3 ORR on Au and Pd-Based Nano-Structure Materials 1714.4 Oxygen Evolution Reaction 173References 1785 Electrochemical Energy Storage 1875.1 Introduction 1875.2 Basic Terminology in Batteries 1885.3 Present Status of Electrochemical Batteries 1955.3.1 Lead Acid Battery 1965.3.2 Nickel-Cadmium Battery 1975.3.3 Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery 1985.4 Lithium Ion Battery 1995.4.1 Insertion Electrode Materials 2025.4.2 Conversion Reaction Electrodes 2095.4.3 Alloy Electrodes 2105.5 Post-Li Technologies 2105.5.1 Na-Ion Batteries 2105.5.2 Lithium-Sulfur Batteries 2125.5.3 Metal Air Batteries 2155.5.3.1 Aqueous Metal Air Batteries 2165.5.3.2 Non-Aqueous Metal Air Batteries 218References 2206 Electrocatalysis and Remediation 2256.1 Introduction 2256.2 NOx Reduction 2286.3 COx Reduction and Methanol Oxidation 2406.3.1 Methanol Oxidation 2466.3.2 SOx Reduction 2496.3.3 Oxidation of Emergent Pollutants 2546.4 Determination of Nitrate-Based Compounds in DNA 257References 262Subject Index 277