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Ribeiro RS, Florent M, Delgado JJ, Pereira MFR, Bandosz TJ. Converting carbon black into an efficient and multi-site ORR electrocatalyst: the importance of bottom-up construction parameters. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:18592-18602. [PMID: 37960972 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr04244h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
To boost efficient energy transitions, alternatives to expensive and unsustainable noble metal-based electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are needed. Having this in mind, carbon black - Black Pearls 2000 (BP) was enriched in active nitrogen-containing centers, including single-atom Fe-N sites surrounded by Fe nanoclusters, through a synthesis methodology employing only broadly available precursors. The methodical approach taken to optimize the synthesis conditions highlighted the importance of (1) a proper choice of the Fe precursor; (2) melamine as an N source to limit the formation of magnetite crystals and modulate the charge density nearby the active sites, and glucose to chelate/isolate Fe atoms and thus allow the Fe-N coordination to be established, with a limiting formation of Fe0 clusters; and (3) a careful dosing of the Fe load. The ORR on the optimized electrocatalyst (Fe0.06-N@BP) proceeds mostly through a four-electron pathway, having an onset potential (0.912 V vs. RHE) and limiting current density (4.757 mA cm-2) above those measured on Pt/C (0.882 V and 4.657 mA cm-2, respectively). Moreover, the current density yielded by Fe0.06-N@BP after 24 h at 0.4 V vs. RHE was still above that of Pt/C at t = 0 (4.44 mA cm-2), making it a promising alternative to noble metal-containing electrocatalysts in fuel cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui S Ribeiro
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of The City University of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA.
- LSRE-LCM - Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marc Florent
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of The City University of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA.
| | - Juan J Delgado
- IMEYMAT: Institute of Research on Electron Microscopy and Materials, University of Cádiz, E11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
- Departamento de Ciencia de Materiales, Ingeniería Metalúrgica y Química Inorgánica, University of Cádiz, E11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - M Fernando R Pereira
- LSRE-LCM - Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Teresa J Bandosz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of The City University of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA.
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Florent M, Bandosz TJ. Carbon Surface-Influenced Heterogeneity of Ni and Co Catalytic Sites as a Factor Affecting the Efficiency of Oxygen Reduction Reaction. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:4432. [PMID: 36558284 PMCID: PMC9782998 DOI: 10.3390/nano12244432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Highly porous carbon black and micro/mesoporous activated carbon were impregnated with cobalt and nickel nitrates, followed by heat treatment at 850 °C in nitrogen. Detailed information about chemistry and porosity was obtained using XPS, XRD, TEM/EDX, and nitrogen adsorption. The samples were used as ORR catalysts. Marked differences in the performance were found depending on the type of carbon. Differences in surface chemistry and porosity affected the chemistry of the deposited metal species that governed the O2 reduction efficiency along with other features of the carbon supports, including electrical conductivity and porosity. While dissociating surface acidic groups promoted the high dispersion of small metal species, carbon reactivity with oxygen and acidity limited the formation of the most catalytically active Co3O4. Formation of Co3O4 on the highly conductive carbon black resulted in an excellent performance with four electrons transferred and a current density higher than that on Pt/C. When Co3O4 was not formed in a sufficient quantity, nickel metal nanoparticles promoted ORR on the Ni/Co-containing samples. The activity was also significantly enhanced by small pores that increased the ORR efficiency by strongly adsorbing oxygen, which led to its bond splitting, followed by the acceptance of four electrons.
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Pushkarev AS, Pushkareva IV, Kozlova MV, Solovyev MA, Butrim SI, Ge J, Xing W, Fateev VN. Heteroatom-Modified Carbon Materials and Their Use as Supports and Electrocatalysts in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (A Review). RUSS J ELECTROCHEM+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1023193522070114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Successful Manufacturing Protocols of N-Rich Carbon Electrodes Ensuring High ORR Activity: A Review. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10040643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The exploration and development of different carbon nanomaterials happening over the past years have established carbon electrodes as an important electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction. Metal-free catalysts are especially promising potential alternatives for replacing Pt-based catalysts. This article describes recent advances and challenges in the three main synthesis manners (i.e., pyrolysis, hydrothermal method, and chemical vapor deposition) as effective methods for the production of metal-free carbon-based catalysts. To improve the catalytic activity, heteroatom doping the structure of graphene, carbon nanotubes, porous carbons, and carbon nanofibers is important and makes them a prospective candidate for commercial applications. Special attention is paid to providing an overview on the recent major works about nitrogen-doped carbon electrodes with various concentrations and chemical environments of the heteroatom active sites. A detailed discussion and summary of catalytic properties in aqueous electrolytes is given for graphene and porous carbon-based catalysts in particular, including recent studies performed in the authors’ research group. Finally, we discuss pathways and development opportunities approaching the practical use of mainly graphene-based catalysts for metal–air batteries and fuel cells.
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Li X, Fan L, Xu B, Shang Y, Li M, Zhang L, Liu S, Kang Z, Liu Z, Lu X, Sun D. Single-Atom-like B-N 3 Sites in Ordered Macroporous Carbon for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:53892-53903. [PMID: 34738781 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c15661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
On the premise of cleanliness and stability, improving the catalytic efficiency for the oxygen reduction reaction in the electrode reaction of fuel cells and metal-air batteries is of vital importance. Studies have shown that heteroatom doping and structural optimization are efficient strategies. Herein, a single-atom-like B-N3 configuration in carbon is designed for efficient oxygen reduction reaction catalysis inspired by the extensively studied transition metal M-Nx sites, which is supported on the ordered macroporous carbon prepared by utilizing a hydrogen-bonded organic framework as carbon and nitrogen sources and SiO2 spheres as a template. The co-doping of B/N and ordered macroporous structures promote the metal-free material high oxygen reduction catalytic performance in alkaline media. DFT calculations reveal that the B-N3 structure played a key role in enhancing the oxygen reduction activity by providing rich favorable *OOH and *OH adsorption sites on the B center. The promoted formation of *OH/*OOH intermediates accelerated the electrocatalyst reaction. This study provides new insights into the design of single-atom-like nonmetallic ORR electrocatalysts and synthesis of ordered macroporous carbons based on hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuting Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, P. R. China
| | - Lili Fan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, P. R. China
| | - Ben Xu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, P. R. China
| | - Yanxue Shang
- College of Science, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, P. R. China
| | - Mengfei Li
- College of Science, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, P. R. China
| | - Ling Zhang
- College of Science, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, P. R. China
| | - Shuo Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, P. R. China
| | - Zixi Kang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, P. R. China
| | - Zhanning Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoqing Lu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, P. R. China
| | - Daofeng Sun
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, P. R. China
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de Falco G, Florent M, De Rosa A, Bandosz TJ. Proposing an unbiased oxygen reduction reaction onset potential determination by using a Savitzky-Golay differentiation procedure. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 586:597-600. [PMID: 33190834 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.10.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
For proper and fair comparison of the performance of Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts an un-biased method to determine an onset potential value is needed. Here we report an easy mathematical approach based on the second derivative of linear sweep voltammetry curves, referred to as a second order discrete differentiation method (SODDM) that allows to accurately provide the onset potential. Analysis of the published results showed that the reported values might be affected by an intrinsic human error associated with the application of the most common approaches addressed as a tangent method or those relaying on a visual estimation of the onset potential based on the shape of a linear scan voltammetry (LSV) curve. We have also demonstrated that by using SODDM, electrochemical data collected on different instruments by different researchers leads to comparable results in terms of the ORR onset potential values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo de Falco
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, United States
| | - Marc Florent
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, United States
| | - Antonio De Rosa
- Department of Mathematics, University of Maryland, 4176 Campus Dr, College Park, MD 20742, United States.
| | - Teresa J Bandosz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, United States.
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de Falco G, Florent M, Jagiello J, Cheng Y, Daemen LL, Ramirez-Cuesta AJ, Bandosz TJ. Alternative view of oxygen reduction on porous carbon electrocatalysts: the substance of complex oxygen-surface interactions. iScience 2021; 24:102216. [PMID: 33733074 PMCID: PMC7941033 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an important energy-related process requiring alternative catalysts to expensive platinum-based ones. Although recently some advancements in carbon catalysts have been reported, there is still a lack of understanding which surface features might enhance their efficiency for ORR. Through a detailed study of oxygen adsorption on carbon molecular sieves and using inelastic neutron scattering, we demonstrated here that the extent of oxygen adsorption/interactions with surface is an important parameter affecting ORR. It was found that both the strength of O2 physical adsorption in small pores and its specific interactions with surface ether functionalities in the proximity of pores positively influence the ORR efficiency. We have shown that ultramicropores and hydrophobic surface rich in ether-based groups and/or electrons enhance ORR on carbon electrocatalysts and the performance parameters are similar to those measured on Pt/C with the number of electron transfer equal to 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo de Falco
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Marc Florent
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Jacek Jagiello
- Micromeritics Instrument Corporation, Norcross, GA 30093, USA
| | - Yongqiang Cheng
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Luke L. Daemen
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | | | - Teresa J. Bandosz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
- Corresponding author
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Metal-free nitrogen-doped graphenic materials as cathode catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. J APPL ELECTROCHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10800-021-01532-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Bandosz TJ. Exploring the Silent Aspect of Carbon Nanopores. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:407. [PMID: 33562709 PMCID: PMC7915842 DOI: 10.3390/nano11020407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recently, owing to the discovery of graphene, porous carbons experienced a revitalization in their explorations. However, nowadays, the focus is more on search for suitable energy advancing catalysts sensing, energy storage or thermal/light absorbing features than on separations. In many of these processes, adsorption, although not emphasized sufficiently, can be a significant step. It can just provide a surface accumulation of molecules used in other application-driving chemical or physical phenomena or can be even an additional mechanism adding to the efficiency of the overall performance. However, that aspect of confined molecules in pores and their involvement in the overall performance is often underrated. In many applications, nanopores might silently advance the target processes or might very directly affect or change the outcomes. Therefore, the objective of this communication is to bring awareness to the role of nanopores in carbon materials, and also in other solids, to scientists working on cutting-edge application of nonporous carbons, not necessary involving the adsorption process directly. It is not our intention to provide a clear explanation of the small pore effects, but we rather tend to indicate that such effects exist and that their full explanation is complex, as complex is the surface of nanoporous carbons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa J Bandosz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
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Kostuch A, Jarczewski S, Surówka MK, Kuśtrowski P, Sojka Z, Kruczała K. The joint effect of electrical conductivity and surface oxygen functionalities of carbon supports on the oxygen reduction reaction studied over bare supports and Mn–Co spinel/carbon catalysts in alkaline media. Catal Sci Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1cy01115d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Mn–Co spinel/carbon electrocatalyst performance exhibits a volcano-type shape which results from a trade-off between electrical conductivity and the amount of oxygen groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldona Kostuch
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Sebastian Jarczewski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marcin K. Surówka
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Piotr Kuśtrowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Sojka
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kruczała
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
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