Understanding oxide catalysis

Alyssa Johnson studied how to catalyze the oxygen evolution reaction in various oxide films under the direction of Yang Shao-Horn, a professor of mechanical engineering. She did this by measuring the applied potential to electrodes for twenty different oxides, including lanthanum strontium cobalt oxide.

Johnson processed carbon electrodes for resistance measurements using rotating disc electroanalysis.Johnson states, “We’re looking at the materials for fuel cell applications.

“The process begins with the production of an ink that adheres to the electrode by combining the carbon with the oxide powder.She explains, “I can deposit it onto the surface of the electrode once I bind it with certain chemicals.”After that, the electrode is heated for a minute in the furnace before being dipped into the electrolyte of potassium hydroxide for analysis.