Author, institution: Agnė Šulčiūtė, Kaunas University of Technology
Science area, field: Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P
Summary of Doctoral Dissertation: Summary
The Doctoral Dissertation is available on the internet and at the library of Kaunas University of Technology (K. Donelaičio St. 20, Kaunas).
Scientific Supervisor: Prof., Dr. Eugenijus VALATKA (Kaunas University of Technology, Physical Sciences, Chemistry – 03P)
Dissertation defence board of Chemistry Science Field:
Prof., Dr. Habil. Algirdas ŠAČKUS (Kaunas University of Technology, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P) – chairman,
Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nijolė DUKŠTIENĖ (Kaunas University of Technology, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P),
Prof., Dr. Vytautas GETAUTIS (Kaunas University of Technology, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P),
Prof., Habil. Dr. Rimantas RAMANAUSKAS (Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Chemistry Institute, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P) ,
Dr. Jolanta ROUSSEAU (Artois University, France, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, 03P).
Annotation:
Transition metal oxides have been widely studied due to their good electrocatalytic activity for many types of electrode reactions such as oxygen or hydrogen evolution and oxygen reduction. Particular attention is paid to the search of efficient and low-cost electrocatalysts suitable for the implementation of the water photo-splitting process. In this regard, zinc oxide (ZnO) is a material of prime choice. It is widely used in various industrial applications, such as catalysts, photovoltaics, pigments, gas sensors and mixed oxide varistors; however, its use in aqueous photoelectrochemical systems is hindered by rather fast photocorrosion. In order to overcome this drawback, recent research efforts have been systematically focused on the improvement of ZnO stability and catalytic properties by mixing it with 3d transition metal oxides. Mixed metal oxides exhibit a novel set of physicochemical properties that are completely different from those of individual metal oxides. Experimental evidence shows that the bulk Zn-Co oxides exhibit enhanced adsorptive, catalytic, optical and magnetic properties. However there is a lack of information concerning the use of mixed Zn-Co oxides in aqueous photoelectrochemical systems. Another approach to enhancing the performance of ZnO is a modification of its surface with an oxygen evolving catalyst (OEC). Recently, inorganic cobalt-phosphate complex (termed Co-Pi) has emerged as a particularly promising OEC based on earth-abundant elements.
