Elucidating the effect of oxidation state and atomic structure of Mn-doped NiOOH water oxidation catalysts with operando XRD/PDF and XAS

This proposal investigates the structure of Mn-doped Ni-layered double hydroxide (LDH) during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) using simultaneous X-ray scattering and absorption spectroscopy. By varying manganese concentrations, the study aims to understand the catalyst's active structure under realistic electrolysis conditions. Operando X-ray diffraction and total scattering will determine how manganese affects the interlayer distance and structural changes within the catalyst layers. Simultaneous X-ray absorption spectroscopy will track the oxidation states of Mn and Ni. This research contributes to developing new OER catalysts, crucial for green hydrogen production, with Ni-based hydroxides. The study employs a newly developed operando gas diffusion electrode (GDE) cell for realistic electrolysis condition, which allows measuring combines XAS and XRD/PDF.