Transition Metal Oxides for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction: Influence of the Oxidation States of the Metal and its Position on the Periodic Table

Electrocatalysts have been developed to meet the needs and requirements of renewable energy applications. Metal oxides have been well explored and are promising for this purpose, however, many reports focus on only one or a few metal oxides at once. Herein, thirty metal oxides, which were either commercially available or synthesized by a simple and scalable method, were screened for comparison with regards to their electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We show that although manganese, iron, cobalt, and nickel oxides generally displayed the ability to enhance the kinetics of oxygen reduction under alkaline conditions compared with bare glassy carbon, there is no significant correlation between the position of a metal on the periodic table and the electrocatalytic performance of its respective metal oxides. Moreover, it was also observed that mixed valent (+2, +3) oxides performed the poorest, compared with their respective pure metal oxides. These findings may be of paramount importance in the field of renewable energy.     

Effects of Metal Electrode Support on the Catalytic Activity of Fe(oxy)hydroxide for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Media

FeO_xH_y and Fe-containing Ni/Co oxyhydroxides are the most-active catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. However, the activity of Fe sites appears strongly dependent on the electrode-substrate material and/or the elemental composition of the matrix in which it is embedded. A fundamental understanding of these interactions that modulate the OER activity of FeO_xH_y is lacking. We report the use of cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry to assess the substrate-dependent activity of FeO_xH_y on a number of commonly used electrode substrates, including Au, Pt, Pd, Cu, and C. We also evaluate the OER activity and Tafel behavior of these metallic substrates in 1 M KOH aqueous solution with Fe³⁺ and other electrolyte impurities. We find that the OER activity of FeO_xH_y varies by substrate in the order Au>Pd≈Pt≈Cu>C. The trend may be caused by differences in the adsorption strength of the Fe oxo ion on the substrate, where a stronger adhesion results in more adsorbed Fe at the interface during steady-state OER and possibly a decreased charge-transfer resistance at the FeO_xH_y-substrate interface. These results suggest that the local atomic and electronic structure of [FeO₆] units play an important role in catalysis of the OER as the activity can be tuned substantially by substrate interactions.     

Electrochemical Preparation of N‐Doped Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles with High Electrocatalytic Activity for the Oxygen‐Reduction Reaction

Nitrogen‐doped CoO (N‐CoO) nanoparticles with high electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR) were fabricated by electrochemical reduction of CoCl₂ in acetonitrile solution at cathodic potentials. The initially generated, highly reactive nitrogen‐doped Co nanoparticles were readily oxidized to N‐CoO nanoparticles in air. In contrast to their N‐free counterparts (CoO or Co₃O₄), N‐CoO nanoparticles with a N content of about 4.6 % exhibit remarkable ORR electrocatalytic activity, stability, and immunity to methanol crossover in an alkaline medium. The Co?N_x active sites in the CoO nanoparticles are held responsible for the high ORR activity. This work opens a new path for the preparation of nitrogen‐doped transition metal oxide nanomaterials, which are promising electrocatalysts for fuel cells.     

Axial Ligand Coordination Tuning of the Electrocatalytic Activity of Iron Porphyrin Electrografted onto Carbon Nanotubes for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is essential in many life processes and energy conversion systems. It is desirable to design transition metal molecular catalysts inspired by enzymatic oxygen activation/reduction processes as an alternative to noble-metal-Pt-based ORR electrocatalysts, especially in view point of fuel cell commercialization. We have fabricated bio-inspired molecular catalysts electrografted onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in which 5,10,15,20-tetra(pentafluorophenyl) iron porphyrin (iron porphyrin FeF₂₀TPP) is coordinated with covalently electrografted axial ligands varying from thiophene to imidazole on the MWCNTs’ surface. The catalysts’ electrocatalytic activity varied with the axial coordination environment (i. e., S-thiophene, N-imidazole, and O-carboxylate); the imidazole-coordinated catalyst MWCNTs-Im-FeF₂₀TPP exhibited the highest ORR activity among the prepared catalysts. When MWCNT-Im-FeF₂₀TPP was loaded onto the cathode of a zinc−air battery, an open-cell voltage (OCV) of 1.35 V and a maximum power density (P_max) of 110 mW cm⁻² were achieved; this was higher than those of MWCNTs-Thi-FeF₂₀TPP (OCV=1.30 V, P_max=100 mW cm⁻²) and MWCNTs-Ox-FeF₂₀TPP (OCV=1.28 V, P_max=86 mW cm⁻²) and comparable with a commercial Pt/C catalyst (OCV=1.45 V, P_max=120 mW cm⁻²) under similar experimental conditions. This study provides a time-saving method to prepare covalently immobilized molecular electrocatalysts on carbon-based materials with structure–performance correlation that is also applicable to the design of other electrografted catalysts for energy conversion.     

Optimizing the Size of Platinum Nanoparticles for Enhanced Mass Activity in the Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction Reaction

High oxygen reduction (ORR) activity has been for many years considered as the key to many energy applications. Herein, by combining theory and experiment we prepare Pt nanoparticles with optimal size for the efficient ORR in proton‐exchange‐membrane fuel cells. Optimal nanoparticle sizes are predicted near 1, 2, and 3 nm by computational screening. To corroborate our computational results, we have addressed the challenge of approximately 1 nm sized Pt nanoparticle synthesis with a metal–organic framework (MOF) template approach. The electrocatalyst was characterized by HR‐TEM, XPS, and its ORR activity was measured using a rotating disk electrode setup. The observed mass activities (0.87±0.14 A mg_Pt^?1) are close to the computational prediction (0.99 A mg_Pt^?1). We report the highest to date mass activity among pure Pt catalysts for the ORR within similar size range. The specific and mass activities are twice as high as the Tanaka commercial Pt/C catalysis.     

Visualization of the Local Catalytic Activity of Electrodeposited Pt–Ag Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction by means of SECM

Pt–Ag nanoparticle co‐deposits with different Pt–Ag ratios were prepared on a glassy carbon (GC) surface by pulsed electrodeposition and investigated for their catalytic activity in electrocatalytic oxygen reduction by using cyclic voltammetry (CV), rotating disc electrode (RDE) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The atomic composition of the Pt–Ag co‐deposits was studied by means of energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX). In combination with X‐ray diffraction (XRD), the presence of partly alloyed Pt and Ag on the GC surface was confirmed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicate that the prepared Pt–Ag catalyst particles are homogenously dispersed over the GC surface. Their size and morphology depend on their composition. The electrocatalytic activity of Pt–Ag deposits with high Pt content was the highest, exceeding even that of electrodeposited Pt as evaluated by quantitative RDE analysis. The redox competition mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy (RC‐SECM) was successfully used to visualize the local catalytic activity of the deposited Pt–Ag particles. Semi‐quantitative assessment of the SECM results confirmed the same order of activity of the different catalysts as the RDE investigations.     

Effects of the Pt Shell Thickness on the Oxygen Reduction Reaction on a Well-Defined Pd@Pt Core-Shell Model Surface

The effect of the Pt shell thickness on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of a Pd@Pt core-shell catalyst was studied using surface science technics and computational approaches. We found Pt shells on Pd rods to be negatively charged because of charge transfer from the Pd substrate when the shell thicknesses were 0.5 or 1 monolayer (ML). The activities of the ORR of the model surface with a Pt shell of 0.5 or 1 ML were similar and more than twice the activities of a Pt/C or Pt rod. The relationship between the ORR activity and the thickness of the Pt shell was the exact opposite of the relationship between the Pt binding energy and the Pt shell thickness. The indication was that more negatively charged Pt had higher ORR activity. Density functional theory calculations confirmed that a single layer of Pt atoms located on Pd was negatively charged compared to pure Pt and resulted in a lower barrier to the rate-limiting step of the ORR.     

氮化钨-钨/掺氮有序介孔碳复合材料的制备及其氧还原性能

采用软模板法制备了氮化钨-钨/掺氮有序介孔碳复合材料（WN-W/NOMC）,作为一种高比表面积且价格低廉的阴极氧还原反应催化剂。通过适量添加尿素来改变复合材料中的氮含量,在掺氮量为7%（w/w）时,实验发现材料能够保持完整有序介孔结构,测试其比表面积高达835 m²·g^-1,透射电子显微镜（TEM）测试结果显示其催化颗粒均匀地分散在氮掺杂有序介孔碳载体上。在O₂饱和的0.1 mol·L^-1 KOH溶液中测试了材料的氧还原催化性能（ORR）,显示其起始电位为0.87 V（vs RHE）,极限电流密度为4.49 mA·cm^-2,氧还原反应的转移电子数为3.4,接近于20%（w/w）商业Pt/C的3.8,说明该材料表现出近似4电子的氧还原反应途径。研究结果表明,WN-W/NOMC的催化性能虽然稍弱于商业铂碳（0.99 V,5.1 mA·cm^-2）,但其具有远超铂碳的循环稳定性和耐甲醇毒化能力。     

氮化钨-钨/掺氮有序介孔碳复合材料的制备及其氧还原性能

采用软模板法制备了氮化钨-钨/掺氮有序介孔碳复合材料(WN-W/NOMC),作为一种高比表面积且价格低廉的阴极氧还原反应催化剂。通过适量添加尿素来改变复合材料中的氮含量,在掺氮量为7%(w/w)时,实验发现材料能够保持完整有序介孔结构,测试其比表面积高达835 m~2·g~(-1),透射电子显微镜(TEM)测试结果显示其催化颗粒均匀地分散在氮掺杂有序介孔碳载体上。在O_2饱和的0.1 mol·L~(-1 )KOH溶液中测试了材料的氧还原催化性能(ORR),显示其起始电位为0.87 V(vs RHE),极限电流密度为4.49 mA·cm~(-2),氧还原反应的转移电子数为3.4,接近于20%(w/w)商业Pt/C的3.8,说明该材料表现出近似4电子的氧还原反应途径。研究结果表明,WN-W/NOMC的催化性能虽然稍弱于商业铂碳(0.99 V,5.1 mA·cm~(-2)),但其具有远超铂碳的循环稳定性和耐甲醇毒化能力。     

Oxygen Reduction Reaction in a Droplet on Graphite: Direct Evidence that the Edge Is More Active than the Basal Plane

Carbon‐based metal‐free electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline medium have been extensively investigated with the aim of replacing the commercially available, but precious platinum‐based catalysts. For the proper design of carbon‐based metal‐free electrocatalysts for the ORR, it would be interesting to identify the active sites of the electrocatalyst. The ORR was now studied with an air‐saturated electrolyte solution droplet (diameter ca. 15 μm), which was deposited at a specified position either on the edge or on the basal plane of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. Electrochemical measurements suggest that the edge carbon atoms are more active than the basal‐plane ones for the ORR. This provides a direct way to identify the active sites of carbon materials for the ORR. Ball‐milled graphite and carbon nanotubes with more exposed edges were also prepared and showed significantly enhanced ORR activity. DFT calculations elucidated the mechanism by which the charged edge carbon atoms result in the higher ORR activity.     

铁、氮掺杂石墨烯/碳黑复合材料的制备及氧还原电催化性能

以高含氮量的2-氨基咪唑为氮源,三氯化铁为铁源,高比表面积的KJ600碳黑为载体,通过水热法制得氨基咪唑聚合物前驱体,再经二次高温热处理,制得石墨烯/碳黑复合材料. 透射电镜表征显示该材料为石墨烯纳米片与碳黑颗粒的复合结构. BET表征表明这是一种多孔结构,具有很高的比表面积（882 m²•g^-1）,这有利于暴露更多活性位点,并促进传质. XRD证实催化剂中存在石墨烯,且石墨烯结构是在第一次热处理过程中形成的. 电化学测试表明,该催化剂在酸性和碱性介质中都具有很高的氧还原电催化活性和低H₂O₂产率,并且在碱性介质中对甲醇小分子的抗毒化性能明显优于商业Pt/C催化剂,展示出在实际燃料电池系统中的应用潜力.     

碱性介质中Fe/N/C催化剂的氧气还原反应催化性能研究

以氧化石墨烯(GO)为碳载体, K₃Fe(CN)₆同时作为N源和Fe源, 经热处理后构建了新型Fe/N/C结构的氧气还原催化剂. 在热处理过程中, 氧化石墨烯上的官能团分解脱离形成活性中心, Fe元素和N元素的同时掺杂是通过氧化石墨烯与K₃Fe(CN)₆之间的相互作用而实现的. 通过傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)表征证明了这种非贵金属催化剂中N元素和Fe元素的成功掺杂, 在催化剂中N元素主要是以吡啶式氮、吡咯式氮和石墨式氮的形式存在, Fe(Ⅱ)和Fe(Ⅲ)则与其中的吡啶式氮配位形成Fe-N_x结构. 采用循环伏安法(CV)和旋转圆盘电极(RDE)技术, 研究其在碱性介质中对氧气还原反应(ORR)的电催化性能. 实验结果显示: Fe/N/C催化剂具有良好的ORR电催化活性, 在碱性溶液中的起始电位为-0.15 V, 同时有着良好的稳定性和抗甲醇性能.     

Copolymer-Induced Intermolecular Charge Transfer: Enhancing the Activity of Metal-Free Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction

Breaking the electroneutrality of sp² carbon lattice is a viable way for nanocarbon material to modulate the charge delocalization and to further alter the electrocatalytic activity. Positive charge spreadsheeting is preferable for catalyzing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and other electrochemical reactions. Analogously to the case of intramolecular charge transfer by heteroatom doping, electrons in the conjugated carbon lattice can be redistributed by the intermolecular charge transfer from the nanocarbon material to the polyelectrolyte. A copolymeric electrolyte, epichlorohydrin-dimethylamine copolymer (EDC) was synthesized. The EDC-modified carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid was subsequently fabricated by sonication treatment and served as a metal-free carbonaceous electrocatalyst with remarkable catalytic activity and stability. The resultant hybrid presents positive charge spreadsheeting on CNT as a result of the interfacial electron transfer from CNT to EDC. DFT calculations were further carried out to reveal that the enhancement of the wrapped EDC polyelectrolyte originates from the synergetic effect of the quaternary ammonium-hydroxyl covalently bonded structure. The CNT-EDC hybrid not only provides an atomically precise regulation to modulate nanocarbon materials from inactive carbonaceous materials into efficient metal-free catalysts, but it also opens new avenues to develop metal-free catalysts with well-defined and highly active sites.     

Identification of Catalytic Sites for Oxygen Reduction in Metal/Nitrogen‐Doped Carbons with Encapsulated Metal Nanoparticles

The development of metal‐N‐C materials as efficient non‐precious metal (NPM) catalysts for catalysing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as alternatives to platinum is important for the practical use of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). However, metal‐N‐C materials have high structural heterogeneity. As a result of their high‐temperature synthesis they often consist of metal‐N_x sites and graphene‐encapsulated metal nanoparticles. Thus it is hard to identify the active structure of metal‐N‐C catalysts. Herein, we report a low‐temperature NH₄Cl‐treatment to etch out graphene‐encapsulated nanoparticles from metal‐N‐C catalysts without destruction of co‐existing atomically dispersed metal‐N_x sites. Catalytic activity is much enhanced by this selective removal of metallic nanoparticles. Accordingly, we can confirm the spectator role of graphene‐encapsulated nanoparticles and the pivotal role of metal‐N_x sites in the metal‐N‐C materials for ORR in the acidic medium.     

The Origin of the Catalytic Activity of a Metal Hydride in CO2 Reduction

Atomic hydrogen on the surface of a metal with high hydrogen solubility is of particular interest for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide. In a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, methane was markedly formed on the metal hydride ZrCoH_x in the course of the hydrogen desorption and not on the pristine intermetallic. The surface analysis was performed by means of time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy and near‐ambient pressure X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, for the in situ analysis. The aim was to elucidate the origin of the catalytic activity of the metal hydride. Since at the initial stage the dissociation of impinging hydrogen molecules is hindered by a high activation barrier of the oxidised surface, the atomic hydrogen flux from the metal hydride is crucial for the reduction of carbon dioxide and surface oxides at interfacial sites.     

碳载体预处理对CoTMPP/BP电催化剂氧还原性能的影响

采用微波加热合成法制备了CoTMPP/BP电化学氧还原催化剂。采用旋转圆盘电极(RDE)研究了BP2000碳载体经30% H₂O₂或6 mol·L^-1 HNO₃化学预处理后对催化剂氧还原催化活性的影响，并且在PEM燃料电池工作站上测试了不同CoTMPP/BP催化剂的燃料电池单电池性能。结果表明，碳载体经过化学预处理后催化剂性能有显著的提高，并且30% H₂O₂处理效果更好。采用IR、XRD和XPS进一步分析了载体化学预处理对催化剂活性影响的机理：IR结果表明预处理后载体表面羟基(-OH)等含氧基团增多；XRD分析表明900℃热处理后催化剂中有Co₃C(101)和金属态Co(111)结构出现；XPS分析表明碳载体预处理后N原子表面浓度以及组分N1和Co^Ⅲ相对比例升高，有利于Co-N4-C活性位的形成，然而组分N1，O1s Co^Ⅲ和Co^Ⅱ的结合能(BE)有所下降。