Nanoparticle exsolution in perovskite oxide and its sustainable electrochemical energy systems

Perovskite oxides show high electrocatalysis behavior for energy-related applications due to their reactivity, adjustable properties and impurity tolerance. It is very important to improve the slow kinetics and long-term stability of perovskite oxides. The ability of perovskite oxides to accommodate more metallic element inside the crystal structure without compromising the matrix gives a chance to engineer the catalytic properties for various energy applications. In the perovskite structure, the transition metal at the B-site can come out at the surface upon reduction forming catalytically active nanoparticles. This is known as exsolution. Generation of different kinds of metal or alloy nanoparticles on the perovskite surface gives the opportunity of tailoring electrochemical properties for outstanding performance. The exsolution process creates active interfaces which also helps to enhance the performance and stability. The advancements in this area will drive this process further for application in different sustainable energy technologies. A report combining all the advancements and applications of exsolution in recent years may be helpful to understand the process in a more detail way. In this review, a broad overview of the exsolution process of perovskite oxides, its sustainable electrochemical energy systems are discussed.