In this work, mixed Mn-Co and La–Co–Mn oxide aerogels were synthesized via a microwave-assisted sol–gel method to develop high-performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis. Both materials exhibited mesoporous structures and high crystallinity; however, the LaCoMnO₃ perovskite showed outstanding electrochemical performance, achieving an industrial-grade current density of 5.65 A cm−2 at 2.2 V. This superior activity—surpassing even commercial IrO₂ benchmarks under high-current conditions—is supported by an exceptionally low charge-transfer resistance of 0.08 Ω·cm2, as revealed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), indicating significantly accelerated OER kinetics compared with the MnCo₂O₄ spinel. The enhanced performance is attributed to a synergistic combination of the high-surface-area aerogel morphology and a high density of surface oxygen vacancies (OV/OL = 1.71) induced by intentional La deficiency, which promotes a transition toward the lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM). Furthermore, the La–Co–Mn oxide aerogel catalyst demonstrated robust stability over 500 h under dynamic operating conditions, highlighting its strong potential for sustainable, large-scale hydrogen production.
La-Co-Mn oxide aerogels as high-performance electrocatalysts for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis
Gatto I.;Baglio V.
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2026
Abstract
In this work, mixed Mn-Co and La–Co–Mn oxide aerogels were synthesized via a microwave-assisted sol–gel method to develop high-performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis. Both materials exhibited mesoporous structures and high crystallinity; however, the LaCoMnO₃ perovskite showed outstanding electrochemical performance, achieving an industrial-grade current density of 5.65 A cm−2 at 2.2 V. This superior activity—surpassing even commercial IrO₂ benchmarks under high-current conditions—is supported by an exceptionally low charge-transfer resistance of 0.08 Ω·cm2, as revealed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), indicating significantly accelerated OER kinetics compared with the MnCo₂O₄ spinel. The enhanced performance is attributed to a synergistic combination of the high-surface-area aerogel morphology and a high density of surface oxygen vacancies (OV/OL = 1.71) induced by intentional La deficiency, which promotes a transition toward the lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM). Furthermore, the La–Co–Mn oxide aerogel catalyst demonstrated robust stability over 500 h under dynamic operating conditions, highlighting its strong potential for sustainable, large-scale hydrogen production.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
