Evaluating Electrocatalysts for Solar Fuels: Experimental Methods, Performance Metrics, and Catalyst Design Strategies

Electrocatalysis is a key aspect that enables a number of technologies for the renewable, sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. Examples include photovoltaic coupled water electrolysis (PV-electrolysis) and solar photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting, where catalysts are needed for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Related technologies involve catalysts for CO2 electro-reduction to produce carbon-based fuels and chemials. This presentation will cover several aspects regarding electrocatalysis for these reactions, in particular experimental methods, figures of merit for comparing catalysts, and resulting design strategies for future catalyst development.