Valorization of Naturally Abundant Low-Value Peat into Highly Active Non-Platinum Group Metal Oxygen Reduction Catalysts

Abstract

This work explores the feasibility of synthesizing active non-platinum group metal oxygen reduction catalysts from naturally abundant peat through a facile one-pot method. The procedure yielded highly porous materials (specific surface area ~1000 m2 g-1) with promising oxygen reduction activity. Onset and half-wave potential values of 0.93 and 0.83 V vs RHE, respectively, were attained in rotating disc electrode experiments for the most active catalyst synthesized using dicyandiamide. Notably, the choice of nitrogen precursor influenced both the porosity and the electrochemical activity. Finally, the best-performing catalyst was analyzed in a rotating ring disc electrode setup, where the results confirmed those obtained in rotating disc electrode measurements.