Effects of using two transition metals in the synthesis of non-noble electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in direct methanol fuel cell

Five different bimetallic non-precius metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are synthesized by different combinations of two transition metal (Fe, Co, Cu, Zn) phthalocyanine precusrsors. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the different combinations of two transition...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Electrochimica acta Vol. 266; pp. 220 - 232
Main Authors: Osmieri, Luigi, Escudero-Cid, Ricardo, Armandi, Marco, Ocón, Pilar, Monteverde Videla, Alessandro H.A., Specchia, Stefania
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 10.03.2018
Elsevier BV
Subjects:
Bimetals
Catalysis
Catalysts
Chemical synthesis
Co-Zn-N-C catalyst
Cobalt
Computer simulation
Copper
Durability
Electrocatalysis
Electrocatalysts
Fuel cells
Inert atmospheres
Iron
Materials durability
Metals
Methanol
Organic chemistry
Oxygen reduction reactions
Phthalocyanine
Precursors
Pyrolysis
Rotating ring disk electrode
Silicon dioxide
Transition metals
Two metals
X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Zinc
Two metals
Phthalocyanine
Durability
Rotating ring disk electrode
Co-Zn-N-C catalyst
ISSN:0013-4686, 1873-3859
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Summary:Five different bimetallic non-precius metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are synthesized by different combinations of two transition metal (Fe, Co, Cu, Zn) phthalocyanine precusrsors. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the different combinations of two transition metals on the physico-chemical and ORR electrocatalytic activity of the catalysts. The precursors were mixed, impregnated on a mesoporous silica used as a hard template, and pyrolyzed under inert atmosphere at 800 °C. After the template removal, the catalysts were characterized via BET, FESEM, and XPS. TGA-MS analysis was also performed on the catalysts precursors to simulate their behaviour during the pyrolysis, detecting the evolved gases. The results show that both the physico-chemical features and the ORR activity and selectivity in acidic medium (measured by RDE-RRDE technique) are strongly influenced by the transition metals pair used. In particular, the most effective transition metals pair to get a more performing ORR catalyst is Co-Zn. The catalysts are also tested in direct methanol fuel cell, including a short-term durability test. The durability of the best perfroming Co-Zn catalyst is improved compared to a similar catalyst synthesized using Fe. The possibility of tuning the catalysts features by combining different transition metals enables to increase the catalyst durability, the production yield during the synthesis (enabling to recover more material after the pyrolysis), and the surface N fixation. [Display omitted] •ORR catalysts were produced combining two transition metal phthalocyanines.•The different metals pairs combinations were: Fe-Co, Fe-Cu- Fe-Zn, Co-Cu, Co-Zn.•Each metals combination induces specific characteristics on the final catalyst.•The best ORR activity was obtained with Co-Zn combination.•Improved durability of Co-Zn-N-C in DMFC cathode compared to single metal catalysts.
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ISSN:0013-4686
1873-3859
DOI:10.1016/j.electacta.2018.02.036