Strontium Substituted SmNiO3: Novel Electrode Materials for Alkaline Water Electrolysis

Strontium Substituted SmNiO3: Novel Electrode Materials for Alkaline Water Electrolysis

Reena PariharPriya Sharma Amritpal Singh Chaddha Narendra Kumar Singh 

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226007 (INDIA)

Corresponding Author Email: 
nksbhu@yahoo.com; singh_narendra@lkouniv.ac.in
Page: 
201-207
|
DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.14447/jnmes.v24i3.a08
Received: 
15 May 2021
|
Revised: 
1 August 2021
|
Accepted: 
10 August 2021
|
Available online: 
31 August 2021
| Citation

© 2021 IIETA. This article is published by IIETA and is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

OPEN ACCESS

Abstract: 

Sr-substituted SmNiO3 perovskite-type oxides have been investigated for their electrocatalytic properties towards oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline medium. Materials were obtained by using low temperature malic acid sol-gel route. To know the redox behaviour, electrocatalytic activity and thermodynamic parameters of oxides, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and anodic polarization curve (Tafel plot) were recorded in 1 M KOH at 25 ºC. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study indicates the formation of almost pure perovskite phase of the material. A pair of redox peaks was observed (anodic; Epa = 494±12 mV and corresponding cathodic; Epc = 360±4 mV) in the potential region 0.0-0.7 V prior to onset of OER. As observed in the case of La-based perovskite oxides, Sr-substitutions in the SmNiO3 also enhance the electrocatalytic properties of the material. However, Sm-based oxides showed least electrocatalytic activity as compared to La-based oxides. The estimated values of Tafel slope and reaction order indicate that each oxide electrode, except SmNiO3, follows similar mechanistic path towards OER. Standard entropy of activation (DS˚#), standard enthalpy of activation (DH˚#) and standard electrochemical energy of activation (DHel˚#) was determined by recording the anodic polarization curve in 1M KOH at different temperatures.

Keywords: 

Samarium nickelates, sol-gel method, XRD, oxygen evolution, thermodynamic parameters

1. Introduction

Perovskite-type mixed oxides of lanthanum having composition La1-xMxM'O3 (where, M = Sr, Pb, Cu, Cr; M'=Co, Mn, Ni and $0.0 \leq \mathrm{x} \leq 0.8$) are considered as very promising materials and have been extensively studied for oxygen evolution/reduction reaction [1-30]. These materials have several technological applications [1,31,32]. There are several methods employed to synthesize these oxides. These include, high temperature solid state reaction and thermal decomposition methods [33-38], which generally produced oxides with low specific surface area and reduced homogeneity and low temperature methods [39-43] in which amorphous organic acids, like malic acid (MA), citric acid (CA), polyacrylic acid (PAA), citric acid-ethylene diamine (CA-EDA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) etc are used as precursors. These low temperature methods facilitate to provide homogeneity in the metal ions and produced oxides with high specific surface area and therefore improved electrochemical properties.

Recently, Azad et al. [44] reported oxygen evolution electrocatalytic properties of some perovskite mixed oxides as bifunctional electrocatalysts with current density 10 mA cm-2 at E = 1.65 V vs RHE. Sczancoski et al. [45] developed Fe- doped LaNiO3 electrocatalysts for OER studies at deposited pyrolytic graphite sheets and found highest activity with LaNi0.4Fe0.6O3 having Tafel slope value of 52 mV decade-1. Findings of these literatures revealed that the metal ios have vital role in the enhancement of physical and electrocatalytic properties of materials. Further, it has been observed that most of the OER studies have been carried out with La-based perovskite oxides. Sm-based perovskites are very little investigated with regards to oxygen evolution/reduction reaction.

Shao-Horn et al. [46] used elements of lanthanide series instead of lanthanum and prepared double perovskites $\left(\mathrm{Ln}_{0.5} \mathrm{Ba}_{0.5}\right) \mathrm{CoO}_{3-\delta}$ (Ln = Pr, Sm, Gd and Ho) by adopting thermal decomposition method. They observed better electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline solution. Very recently [27], we found better results towards OER with partial substitution of Sm for Sr in La0.4Sr0.6CoO3.

In view of the above, we extended our research and used Sm-element instead of La to obtain perovskite-type oxides and further studied their electrocatalytic properties for OER in alkaline medium. Results, so obtained, are described in this paper.

2. Experimental

Strontium substituted SmNiO3 having compositions Sm1- xSrxNiO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) were prepared by adopting the method reported by Teraoka et al. [41]. In each preparation, all the reagents and chemicals were taken in purified form. The stoichiometric amount of metal nitrates and excess amount of malic acid were dissolved in 500 ml double distilled. 35% ammonia solution was used to maintain the pH of mixture 3.5, which then concentrated over a water bath at 60-70°C. A gel like mass was obtained which decomposed and sintered at 600°C for 5h to get the desired oxide material. Techniques like, X-ray diffractometer ( Philips and Panalytical Powder X- Ray Diffractometer) provided with radiation source Cu-Ka ($\lambda$=1.54056 Å) and Scanning Electron Microscope (JEOL, JSM 6490) were used to determine the phase and morphology of the materials. The crystallite size of the material was calculated by using Scherer’s formula.

The electrocatalytic property of the material was determined in the form of oxide film electrode on pre-treated Ni-support. The procedure adopted for the treatment of Ni- support, preparation of oxide film and electrical contact was same as described elsewhere [9,15]. During experiment, the oxide film electrode was used as working electrode. Hg/HgO/1M KOH and Pt-foil were used as reference and auxiliary electrode, respectively. A three-electrode single compartment glass cell, which is connected to the potentiostat/galvanostat (Gamry Reference 600 ZRA) and corrosion and physical electrochemical software compiled personal computer, was used for the electrochemical studies. In order to minimise the additional potential drop, the reference electrode was connected electrically to the electrolyte (1M KOH) via a Luggin capillary (KCl/Agar-Agar salt bridge).

3. Results and Discussion

3.1 X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)

X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of oxide powders, Sm0.2Sr0.8NiO3 and Sm0.6Sr0.4NiO3, sintered at 600 ºC for 5h and recorded between 2θ = 20° to 100° are shown in Fig. 1. The observed patterns indicates the formation of almost perovskite phase of the material and found to be very similar to those with Sm-substituted La(Sr)CoO3 [27] obtained by PVP method, which followed hexagonal crystal geometry of respective JCPDS ASTM file 25-1060. The crystallite size was calculated by using Scherer’s formula [47] and found to be ~30 and ~40 nm for Sm0.2Sr0.8NiO3 and Sm0.6Sr0.4NiO3, repesctvely.

Figure 1: XRD powder patterns of oxides sintered at 600°C for 5 h

3.2 Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM)

Figure 2 represents the SE-micrograph of sintered (600°C for 5 hrs) SmNiO3 and Sm0.2Sr0.8NiO3 oxide powder at the magnification ×200. Morphological appearance of both oxides are seemed to be similar and showed nebulous structure. Some small pores has also been observed in the oxide matrix.

Figure 2: SE Micrographs of oxide powder sintered at 600°C for 5 hrs.

3.3 Cyclic Voltammetry (CV)

Figure 3 represents cyclic voltammogram of the oxide film electrode on Ni-substrate between potential region 0.0-0.7 V in 1M KOH at 25°C (scan rate = 20 mVsec-1). Each voltammogram revealed a pair of redox peak, an anodic (Epa= 494 ± 12 mV) and corresponding cathodic (Epc=360 ± 4 mV), prior to the onset of oxygen evolution reaction. The peak potential values of each voltammetric curve (Table 1) corresponds to that obtained with the bare Ni [48]. Further, the CV of the oxide on Pt-substrates did not exhibit any redox peaks under similar experimental conditions. This specifies that the redox peaks might be due to the oxidation-reduction of Ni-substrate, which comes into contact with electrolyte during the cycle process through pores, cracks and grain boundaries. Aslo, it has been reported [49] that perovskite oxides prepared at low temperature are highly hygroscopic and may undergo hydration in electrolytic solution.

Figure 3:  Cyclic voltammograms of Ni/ Sm1-xSrxCoO3 (0≤ x ≤ 0.8) in 1M KOH at 25˚C; (scan rate = 20 mV sec-1); a: SmNiO3, b: Sm0.8Sr0.2NiO3, c: Sm0.6Sr0.4NiO3, d: Sm0.2Sr0.8NiO3

Other voltammetric constituents, such as peak separation potential (∆Ep = EPa - EPc), formal redox potentail [E° = (EPa - EPc)/2], anodic and cathodic peak current, volatmmetric charge (q), etc were estimated from the voltammetric curve and listed in Table 1. With exception to Sm0.2Sr0.8NiO3, the value of ∆Ep was almost same with each oxide electrode. A negligible change in the formal redox potential has been observed with the substitution of Sr for Sm in the base oxide (SmNiO3). Anodic peak current, cathodic peak current and voltametric charge (q) are increased with increase in concentration of Sr in the oxide. The value of q is estimated by integrating the CV curve from zero to the potential just prior the OER. The ratio of anodic and cathodic peak current is more than unity, indicating the irreversibility [50-52] of the redox process.

Table 1: Values of the cyclic voltammetric parameters of Ni/ Sm1-xSrxNiO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) in 1 M KOH at 25 °C (scan rate = 20 mV sec-1)

Electrode

EPa/mV

EPc/mV

∆Ep/mV

E°/ mV

|jpa|/mA cm-2

|jpc|/mA cm-2

$\frac{\left|\mathrm{j}_{\mathrm{p}_{\mathrm{a}}}\right|}{\left|\mathrm{j}_{\mathrm{p}_{\mathrm{c}}}\right|}$

q/mC cm-2

SmNiO3

483

360

123

422

0.78

0.35

2.2

1.7

Sm0.8Sr0.2NiO3

482

362

120

422

1.14

0.52

2.2

2.6

Sm0.6Sr0.4NiO3

486

364

122

425

1.94

0.84

2.3

3.7

Sm0.2Sr0.8NiO3

506

356

150

431

4.69

2.77

1.7

16.0

The effect of scan rate on the redox process has also been studied in 1M KOH at 25°C and shown in Fig. 4 for the Ni/Sm0.2Sr0.8NiO3. The nature of CV curve as shown figure 4 is almost similar to that observed at scan rate of 20 mV sec -1. But, a shift in anodic and cathodic peak potential was observed with the increase of scan rates from 20 to 120 mV sec-1.

Figure 4: Cyclic voltammogram of Ni/Sm0.2Sr0.8NiO3 film electrode at different scan rates in 1M KOH (25˚C)

It is found that both anodic and cathodic peak currents increased linearly with increase in the scan rates. The variation is represented in the plot of │jP│vs square root of scan rate (Fig. 5) for Sm0.2Sr 0.8NiO3 oxide electrode. The voltammetric charge (q) was also plotted against (scan rate)-1/2 and shown in Fig. 6. The straight line obtained indicates that the surface redox behaviour is diffusion controlled [15].

Figure 5: Plot of |jP| vs (scan rate)1/2 for the oxide film electrode on Ni in 1M KOH (25 °C)

Figure 6: Plot of voltammetric charge (q) vs (scan rate)-1/2 for the oxide film electrode on Ni in 1M KOH (25 °C)

3.4 Electrocatalytic Activity

To know the electrocatalytic activity of the oxide electrocatalyst, iR-compensated anodic polarization curves (E vs.log j) was recorded in 1M KOH at 25 °C. The polarization curve, so obtained is shown in Fig. 7. The Tafel slope values as well as the electrocatalytic activity in terms of potential and current density were estimated from the polarization curve and listed in Table 2.. The Tafel slope value were ranged between 111-118 mVdecade-1. On the comparison of electrocatalytic activity in terms of current density at fixed potential of 800 mV, it is observed that a slight increase in the electrocatalytic activity has been found with Sr-substitution. The activity being maximum with 0.8 mol Sr-substitution.

Figure 7: Tafel plots for oxygen evolution on Ni/Sm1- xSrxNiO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) in 1M KOH at 25 ˚C (scan rate: 0.2 mVsec-1). A: SmNiO3, B: Sm0.8Sr0.2NiO3, C: Sm0.6Sr0.4NiO3, D: Sm0.2Sr0.8NiO3

Table 2: Electrode kinetic parameters for oxygen evolution reaction on Ni/Sm1-xSrxNiO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) electrodes in 1 M KOH at 25°C

Electrode

Tafel slope (b)

Orde r (p)

E/ mV at j/ mA cm-2

j/ mA cm-2 at E/ mV

10

100

700

800

SmNiO3

118

1.9

921

1134

0.5

1.1

Sm0.8Sr0.2NiO3

113

1.2

849

1068

0.9

1.5

Sm0.6Sr0.4NiO3

114

0.9

888

1116

0.9

1.3

Sm0.2Sr0.8NiO3

111

1.0

815

1045

1.2

4.1

As per Table 2, oxide electrodes show the following order of electrocatalytic activity at constant potential (E = 800 mV);

Sm0.2Sr0.8NiO3 (j = 4.1 mA cm-2) > Sm0.8Sr0.2NiO3 (j = 1.5 mA cm-2) > Sm0.6Sr0.4NiO3  (j = 1.3 mA cm-2) > SmNiO3  (j  =1.1 mA cm-2)

The anodic polarization curve was recorded to determine the reaction order of OE with each oxide electrode in different KOH concentraation at 25°C. During the process, the electrical intensity of the each electrolytic solution was kept uniform. An inert electrolyte KNO3 was used to maintain the ionic strength (m = 1.5) of each solution constant. A representative polarization curve for Ni/Sm0.2Sr0.8NiO3 is shown in the Fig. 8. From figure, values of current density (log j/ A cm-2) were estimated at a certain potential and plotted against log [OH-] , which is shown in the Fig. 9 at a constant potential of E=700 mV. The order of reaction was calculated by measuring the slope of straight line and values are listed in Table 2. The observed values of Tafel slope and reaction order as given in Table 2 suggest that the OER taking place at the electrocatalysts follows similar mechanistic path except SmNiO3, which has reaction order 1.9 with Tafel slope 118 mV decade-1.

Figure 8: Tafel plots for oxygen evolution on Ni/Sm0.2Sr0.8NiO3 at varying KOH concentrations (m = 1.5) at 25 ˚C

Figure 9: Plot of log j vs log [OH-] for Ni/Sm1-xSrxNiO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) electrodes.

3.5 Thermodynamic Parameters

Thermodynamic parameters of two oxide electrocatalysts towards OER have also been determined by recording the anodic polarization curve in 1 M KOH at 20, 30, 40, and 50°C. A set of polarization curve for SmNiO3 is shown in Figure 10. During the experiment, the temperature of the reference electrode was kept constant. From figure, values of log j (in mA cm-2) were estimated at a constant applied potential and plotted against 1/T. The standard apparent enthalpy of activation (DHel˚#) was calculated at a certain potential (E = 650 mV) by measuring the slope of Arrhenius plot, log j vs 1/T (Fig. 11).

Further, following two relations (1) and (2) [53] are used to determine the values of standard enthalpy of activation (∆H°≠) and standard entropy of activation (∆S°≠), respectively.

$\Delta \mathrm{H}_{\mathrm{el}}^{\mathrm{o}\neq}=\Delta \mathrm{H}^{\mathrm{o} \neq}-\alpha \mathrm{F \eta}$               (1)

$\Delta \mathrm{S}^{\mathrm{o} \neq}=2.3 \mathrm{R}\left[\log \mathrm{j}+\frac{\Delta \mathrm{H}_{\mathrm{el}}^{\mathrm{o} \neq}}{2.3 \mathrm{RT}}-\log \left(\mathrm{nF} \omega \mathrm{C}_{\mathrm{OH}^{-}}\right)\right]$                 (2)

In equation (1), α (= 2.303RT/bF) is the transfer coefficient. h is the overpotential equal to E - EO2/OH-, where E is the potential applied and EO2/OH⁻ (= 0.303 V vs. Hg/HgO) [54] is the theoretical equilibrium Nernst potential in 1 M KOH at 25 ˚C. The Tafel slope (b) is determined from the polarization curves obtained at different temperatures. R, F are the universal constants and T is the absolute temperature.

In equation (2), the value of frequency term (ω) is equal to kBT/h. kB and h are the Boltzmann constant and Planck’s constant, respectively. Here, the value of ‘n’ was taken 2 in every calculation. The calculated values of thermodynamic parameters are listed in the Table 3. Values of electrochemical activation energy were found to be 47.5 and 54.9 kJ mol-1 for SmNiO3 and Sm0.8Sr0.2NiO3, respectively.

Figure 10: Anodic polarization curve for the SmNiO3 film electrode on Ni at different temperatures in 1 M KOH

Figure 11: The Arrhenius plot at a constant applied potential (650 mV) for La1-xSrxCoO3 (x = 0 and 0.2) in 1 M KOH

Table 3: Thermodynamic parameters for O2 evolution on Ni/Sm1-xSrxNiO3 (x = 0 and 0.2) in 1 M KOH

Electrode

DHel˚# (kJ mol-1)

- ∆S˚# (Jdeg-1 mol-1)

α

∆H˚# (kJ mol-1)

SmNiO3

47.5

195.1

0.5

64.4

Sm0.8Sr0.2NiO3

54.9

171.9

0.5

71.5

4. Conclusion

The present work has been undertaken to study the electrocatalytic properties of Sm-based perovskite over La- based. Sr-substitution in the base oxide increased the electrocatalytic properties of the material. But, this increase is not so significant as observed in the case of La-based perovkites. As per present study, Sm-based perovskites are not prolific electrocatalysts for the electrolysis point of view.

Acknowledgments

Authors are thankful to SERB (DST), New Delhi for providing electrochemical impedance system under Fast Track Scheme for Young Scientist (No.: SR/FT/CS-044/2009). Thanks are also given to BSIP and Department of Chemistry, University of Lucknow for SEM and basic infrastructure, respectively.

  References

1. Meadocroft D. B. (1970). Low-cost oxygen electrode material, Nature, 226:847-848. https://doi.org/10.1038/ 226847a0.

2. Matsumoto Y., Sato E. (1979). Oxygen evolution on La1−xSrxMnO3 electrodes in alkaline solutions, Electrochim. Acta, 24:421-423. https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-4686(79)87030-9.

3. Matsumoto Y., Yamada S., Nishida T., Sato E. (1980). Oxygen evolution on La1 − xSrxFe1 − yCoyO3 series oxides, J. Electrochem. Soc., 127:2360-2364. https://doi.org/10.11 49/1. 2129415.

4. Yamada S., Matsumoto Y., Sato E. (1981). Oxygen Evolution on La1-xSrxFe1-yNiyO3 Series Oxides, The journal of the Electrochemical Society of Japan, 49:269-273. https://doi.org/10.5796/kogyobutsurikagaku.49.269

5. Kobussen A.G.C., Willems H., Broers G.H.J. (1982). The oxygen evolution on La0.5Ba0.5CoO3: Passivation processes, J. Electroanalytical Chemistry and Interfacial Electrochemistry 142:85-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/S00 22-0728(82)80007-7

6. Bockris J. O’M, Otagawa T., Young V. (1983). Solid state surface studies of the electrocatalysis of oxygen evolution on perovskites, J. Electroanal. Chem., 150:633-643. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-0728(83)80243-5.

7. Shimizu Y., Matsuda H., Miura N., Yamazoe N. (1992). Bi- functional Oxygen Electrode Using Large Surface Area Perovskite-type Oxide Catalyst for Rechargeable Metal- Air Batteries, Chem. Lett., 21:1033-1036. https://doi.org/ 10.1246/cl.1992.1033.

8. Schmidt T., Wendt H. (1994). Electrocatalysis of cathodic hydrogen and anodic oxygen evolution in alkaline water electrolysis by in situ activation procedures, Electrochim. Acta., 39:1763-1767. https://doi.org/10.1016/00134686 (94)85162-X.

9. Tiwari S. K., Chartier P., Singh R. N.(1995). Preparation of Perovskite‐Type Oxides of Cobalt by the Malic Acid Aided Process and Their Electrocatalytic Surface Properties in Relation to Oxygen Evolution, J. Electrochem. Soc., 143:148-153. https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2043854.

10. Jain A. N., Tiwari S. K., Singh R. N. Chartier P. (1995). Low-temperature synthesis of perovskite-type oxides of lanthanum and cobalt and their electrocatalytic properties for oxygen evolution in alkaline solutions, J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans., 91:1871-1875. https://doi.org/10.1039/FT 9959101871.

11. Singh R. N., Bahadur L., Pandey J. P., Singh S. P., Chartier P., Poillerat G. (1994). Preparation and characterization of thin films of LaNiO3 for anode application in alkaline water electrolysis, J. Appl. Electrochem., 24:149-156. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00247787.

12. Singh S. P., Singh R. N., Poillerat G., Chartier P. (1995), Physicochemical and electrochemical characterization of active films of LaNiO3 for use as anode in alkaline water electrolysis, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 20:203-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3199(94)E0027-V.

13. Singh R. N., Jain A. N., Tiwari S. K., Poillerat G., Chartier P.  (1995). Physicochemical and electrocatalytic properties of LaNiO3 prepared by a low-temperature route for anode application in alkaline water electrolysis., J. Appl. Electrochem., 25:1133-1138. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00242541.

14. Tiwari S. K., Koenig J. F., Poillerat G., Chartier P., Singh R. N. (1998). Electrocatalysis of oxygen evolution/ reductionon LaNiO3 prepared by a novel malic acid-aided method, J. Appl. Electrochem., 28:114-119. https://doi.org/ 10.1023/A:1003214321780.

15. Singh R. N., Tiwari S. K., Singh S. P., Singh N. K., Poillearat G., Chartier P. (1996). Synthesis of (La, Sr)CoO3 perovskite films via a sol–gel route and their physicochemical and electrochemical surface characterization for anode application in alkaline water electrolysis, J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans., 92(14):2593- 2597. https://doi.org/10.1039/FT9969202593.

16. Singh R. N., Tiwari S. K., Singh S. P., Jain A. N., Singh N. K. (1997). Electrocatalytic activity of high specific surface area perovskite-type LaNiO3 via sol-gel route for electrolytic oxygen evolution in alkaline solution, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 22:557-562. https://doi.org/10.1016/ S0360-3199(96)00176-0.

17. Sharma T., Singh N. K., Tiwari S. K., Singh R. N. (1998). Electrocatalytic properties of La-manganites prepared by low temperature synthesis, Ind. J. Engg. & Mat. Sci., 5:38- 42.

18. Singh N. K., Tiwari S. K., Singh R. N. (1998). Electrocatalytic properties of lanthanum manganites obtained by a novel malic acid-aided route, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 23:775-780. https://doi.org/10.1016/ S0360-3199(97)00119-5.

19. Lal B., Singh N. K., Singh R. N. (2001). Electrocatalytic properties of Sr-doped LaMnO3 obtained by a new sol-gel route in relation to O2 evolution in alkaline solution, Ind. J. Chem., 40 A:1269-1276.

20. Singh N. K., Lal B., Singh R. N. (2002). Electrocatalytic properties of perovskite-type La1−xSrxMnO3 obtained by a novel sol–gel route for O2 evolution in KOH solutions, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 27:885-893. https://doi.org/10.1016/ S0360-3199(02)00008-3.

21. Lal B., Raghunanda M. K., Gupta M., Singh R. N. (2005). Electrocatalytic properties of La1-xSrxCoO3(0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) perovskite-type obtained by a novel stearic acid sol–gel method for electrocatalysis of O2 evolution in KOH solutions Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 30:723-729. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2004.07.002.

22. Suntivich J., Gasteiger H. A., Yabuuchi N., Nakanish H., Goodenough J. B., Shao-Horn Y. (2011). Design principles for oxygen-reduction activity on perovskite oxide catalysts for fuel cells and metal–air batteries, Nature Chemistry, 3:546-550. https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.1069

23. Sunarso J., Torriero A. A. J., Zhou W., Howlett P. C., Forsyth M. (2012). Oxygen Reduction Reaction Activity of La-Based Perovskite Oxides in Alkaline Medium: A Thin-Film Rotating Ring-Disk Electrode Study, J. Phys. Chem., 116:5827-5834. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp211946n.

24. Yadav M. K., Yadav Ritu, Sharma Priya, Singh N. K. (2016). Synthesis and electrocatalytic properties of La1- xSrxCoO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) film electrodes for oxygen evolution in alkaline solutions, Int. J. Electrochem. Sci., 11:8633- 8645. doi: 10.20964/2016.10.01.

25. Singh N. K., Yadav M. K., Fernandez C. (2017). Electrocatalytic properties of La1-xCuxCoO3 (0 ≤ X ≤ 0.8) film electrodes prepared by malic acid sol-gel method at pH =3.75, Int. J. Electrochem Sci., 12:7128-7141. doi: 10.20964/2017.08.68.

26. Singh N. K., Sharma P., Kumar I., Chaddha A. S. (2019). Oxygen evolution electrocatalytic properties of perovskite- type La1-xSrxCoO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) oxides obtained by polyvinylpyrrolidone sol-gel route, Int. J. Electrochem. Sci., 14:11379-11390. doi: 10.20964/2019.12.70.

27. Singh N. K., Sharma P., Yadav M. K., Parihar R. (2020). Oxygen evolution electrocatalytic properties of perovskite- type oxides obtained by PVP sol-gel route: Part II. The effect of partial substitution of Sm for Sr in La0.4Sr0.6CoO3, Int. J. Electrochem. Sci., 15:7001-7012. doi:10.20964/2020.07.81.

28. Shin Boyoon, Choi Sangwon, Tak Yongsug (2016). Electrocatalytic Activity of Co-based Perovskite Oxides for Oxygen Reduction and Evolution Reactions, Int. J. Electrochem. Sci., 11:5900-5908, https://doi.org/10.20964/ 2016.07.68.

29. Zhang Z., Zhou D., Wu X., Bao X., Liao J., Wen M. 2019). Synthesis of La0.2Sr0.8CoO3 and its electrocatalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline solution, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 44:7222-7227, https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.ijhydene.2019.01.268

30. Singh R. N., Lal B. (2002). High surface area lanthanum cobaltate and its A and B sites substituted derivatives for electrocatalysis of O2 evolution in alkaline solution, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 27:445-46, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0 360-3199(01)00078-7

31. Tseung A. C. C., Bevan H. L. (1973). A reversible oxygen electrode, J. Electroanal. Chem., 45:429-438. https://doi. org/10.1016/S0022-0728(73)80053-1.

32. Matsuki K., Kamada H. (1985). Research on Energy Conversion and Storage Through Chemical Process, SPEY, vol. 13 p. 181.

33. Bockris J. O. M., Otagawa T. (1984). The Electrocatalysis of oxygen evolution on perovskites, J. Electrochem. Soc., 131: 290-302. https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2115565.

34. Balej J. (1985). Electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution in advanced water electrolysis, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 10:89-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3199(85)90041-2.

35. Kobussen A. G. C., Buren van F. R., Den Belt van T. G. M., Wees van H. J. A. (1979). Oxygen evolution on LaCoO3- type electrodes, J. Electroanal Chem., 96:123-125.

36. Matsumoto Y., Manabe H., Sato E. (1980). Oxygen evolution on La1 − x Srx CoO3 electrodes in alkaline solutions, J. Electrochem Soc. 127:811-814. https:// doi.org/10.1149/1.2129762

37. Wendt H., Plzak V. (1983). Electrocatalytic and thermal activation of anodic oxygen- and cathodic hydrogen- evolution in alkaline water electrolysis, Electrochim Acta, 28:27-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-4686(83)85083-X.

38. Fiori G., Mari C. M. (1982). Electrocatalysis of oxygen evolution, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 7:489-493. https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3199(82)90106-9.

39. Vidyasagar K., Gopalkrishnan J., Rao C.N.R. (1985). Synthesis of complex metal oxides using hydroxide, cyanide, and nitrate solid solution precursors, J. Solid state chem., 58:29-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-4596(85) 90266-x

40. Vassiliou J. K., Hornbostel M., Ziebarth R., Disalvo F. J. (1989). Synthesis and properties of NdNiO3 prepared by low-temperature methods, J. Solid State Chem., 81:208- 216. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-4596(89)90008-X

41. Teraoka Y., Kakebayashi H., Moriguchi I., Kagawa S. (1991). Hydroxy acid-aided synthesis of perovskite-type oxides of cobalt and manganese, Chemistry Letters, 20:673-676. https://doi.org/10.1246/cl.1991.673

42. Taguchi H., Yoshioka H., Matsuda D., Nagao M. (1993). Crystal structure of LaMnO3+δ synthesized using poly (acrylic acid), Solid State Chem., 104:460-463. https://doi.org/10.1006/jssc.1993.1181.

43. Nagai T., Fujiwara N., Asahi M., Yamazaki Shin-Ichi, Siroma Z., Ioroi T. (2014). Synthesis of nano-sized perovskite-type oxide with the use of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, J. Asian Ceramic Society, 2:329-332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jascer.2014.08.004

44. Azad Uday Pratap, Singh Monika, Ghosh Sourav, Singh Ashish Kumar, Ganesan Vellaichamy, Singh Akhilesh Kumar, Prakash Rajiv (2018). Facile synthesis of BSCF perovskite oxide as an efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 43:20671-20679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.09.134

45. Gozzo C. B., Mario R. S. Soares, Sczancoski J. C., Nogueira I. C. , Edson R. Leite. (2019). Investigation of the electrocatalytic performance for oxygen evolution reaction of Fe-doped lanthanum nickelate deposited on pyrolytic graphite sheets Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 39:21659-21672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019. 06.109

46. Grimaud Alexis, May Kevin J., Carlton Christopher E., Lee Yueh-Lin, Risch Marcel, Hong Wesley T., Zhou Jigang, Shao-Horn Y. (2013). Double perovskites as a family of highly active catalysts for oxygen evolution in alkaline solution, Nature Communications, 4:1-7. https://doi.org/10. 1038/ncomms3439.

47. Fradette N., Marsan B. (1998). Surface studies of CuxCo3- xO4 electrodes for the electrocatalysis of oxygen evolution,

J. Electrochem. Soc., 145:2320-2327, https://doi.org/10. 1149/1.1838637.

48. Singh R. N., Pandey J. P., Anitha K. L. (1993). Preparation of electrodeposited thin films of nickel-iron alloys on mild steel for alkaline water electrolysis. Part I: studies on oxygen evolution, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 18:467-473. https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3199(93)90002-R

49. Singh N. K., Tiwari S. K., Anitha K. L., Singh R. N. (1996). Electrocatalytic properties of spinel-type MnxFe3–xO4 synthesized below 100°C for oxygen evolution in KOH solutions, J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans., 92(13):2397-2400. https://doi.org/10.1039/FT9969202397.

50. Wu Wei, Guo Shaoqiang, Zhang Jinsuo (2018). Electrochemical Behaviors of Cr(III) in Molten LiF-NaF- KF Eutectic, Int. J. Electrochem. Sci., 13:225-234. doi: 10.20964/2018.01.21.

51. Massot L., Chamelot P., Cassayre L., Taxil P. (2009). Electrochemical study of the Eu(III)/Eu(II) system in molten fluoride media, Electrochim Acta, 54:6361-6366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2009.06.016.

52. Bard A. J., Faulkner L. R. (2001). Electrochemical Methods: Principles and Applications, 2nd ed., Wiley, New York.

53. Gileadi E. (1993). Electrode Kinetics, (VCH Publishers Inc., New York), p.151.

54. Singh R. N., Pandey J. P., Singh N. K., Lal B., Chartier P., Koenig J. F. (2000). Sol-gel derived spinel MxCo3−xO4 (M= Ni, Cu; 0 ≤ x ≤1) films and oxygen evolution, Electrochim Acta, 45:1911-1919, https://doi.org/10.1016/S00134686 (99)00413-2