Abstract
This study develops a promising catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) via a simple two-step heat treatment of a mixture of cobalt(II) nitrate hexahydrate (Co(NO3)2·6H2O), polyethyleneimine (PEI), and graphene oxide (GO), firstly in argon atmosphere and then in ammonia atmosphere. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) result reveals that the catalyst has pyridinic N-dominant (46% atomic concentration among all N components) on the surface. The kinetics measurement of the catalyst in 0.1 M KOH solution using a rotating disk electrode (RDE) reveals that the catalyst (Co/N/rGO(NH3)) has high activity. Furthermore, the number of electrons exchanged during the ORR with the catalyst is determined to be ∼3.9, suggesting that the ORR is dominated by a 4e− reduction of O2 to H2O. The catalyst has good stability, and its performance is superior to the commercial Pt/C(20%) catalyst in alkaline condition, making the material a promising substitute to noble metal ORR electrocatalyst on the cathode side of fuel cells.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
