Uniform WMoSx nanoparticles attached graphene nanosheets as highly effective electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline medium

Abstract

Abstract Small and uniform bimetallic WMoSx nanoparticles well distributed on surface of thin graphene nanosheets (WMoSx-Gr) was prepared and investigated as an effective electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline electrolyte. This material exhibited highly catalytic activity relative to a commercial Pt/C product. In this context, the material showed a large limit current density, positive onset potential (−0.05 V) as well as half wave potential (−0.13 V). In particularly, the superior durability and methanol tolerance of the as-synthesized material were also pronounced, as compared to Pt/C. The high ORR activity of the WMoSx-Gr material was assumed to the synergistic effect produced from a unique nanostructure of the WMoSx and the high surface area graphene with its excellent conductivity. The obtained results imply that such hybrid material can open a new type of highly efficient non-Pt catalyst for ORR in alkaline environment.