Innovative catalyst design for the oxygen reduction reaction for fuel cells

Chemical Science
Kenichi ShimizuR G Compton

Abstract

A combination of chemical and electrochemical catalysis is introduced herein as a new approach to overcome one of the most challenging and persistent issues in fuel cell cathodes. Demonstrated using hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode, this bifunctional fuel cell catalyst system prevails the slow kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction by rapid heterogeneous disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide. Whilst the catalytic efficiency of glassy carbon is limited to the two-electron reduction of oxygen, modification with hematite drastically improves it to equivalent to the four-electron pathway. This is due to regeneration of the cathodic fuel through the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The importance of such system is stressed as the formation of water rather than hydrogen peroxide is essential to maximize the energy output of the fuel cell. Cycling of oxygen reduction/regeneration boosts the activity of a low-cost catalyst to be comparable to that of platinum and concurrently reduces the risk of cell degradation.

References

Apr 1, 1947·Journal of the American Chemical Society·D B BROUGHTON, R L WENTWORTH
Apr 1, 2009·Nature Chemistry·Harry B Gray
Jun 15, 2013·Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP·Rita Nissim, Richard G Compton
May 16, 2014·Chemphyschem : a European Journal of Chemical Physics and Physical Chemistry·Tiphaine PouxElena R Savinova

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Citations

May 23, 2019·Dalton Transactions : an International Journal of Inorganic Chemistry·Lauren E LieskeCharles W Machan
Dec 21, 2017·Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP·Xiaosheng CaiRichard G Compton
Jun 18, 2021·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Armando Peña-DuarteCarlos R Cabrera
Jan 20, 2022·Chemical Communications : Chem Comm·Manisha DasRamendra Sundar Dey

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BETA
X-ray

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Nova
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