Influence of the preparation method and the support on H2O2 electrogeneration using cerium oxide nanoparticles

Author(s)

Assumpcao, M. H. M. T. ^[1] ; Moraes, A. ^[1] ; De Souza, R. F. B. ^[1] ; Calegaro, M. L. ^[2] ; Lanza, M. R. V. ^[2] ; Leite, E. R. ^[3] ; Cordeiro, M. A. L. ^[3] ; Hammer, P. ^[4] ; Santos, M. C. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed ABC, Ctr Ciencias Nat & Humanas, Lab Eletroquim & Mat Nanoestruturados, BR-09210170 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim Sao Carlos, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Quim, LIEC, CMDMC, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Inst Quim, BR-14800060 Araraquara, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Electrochimica Acta; v. 111, p. 339-343, NOV 30 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 15

Abstract

This work describes the influence of the preparation method and the carbon support using a low content of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2/C 4%) on H2O2 electrogeneration via the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). For this purpose, the polymeric precursor (PPM) and sol-gel (SGM) methods with Vulcan XC 72R (V) and Printex L6 (P) supports were employed. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD analysis identified two phases comprising CeO2 and CeO2,. The smallest mean crystallite size was exhibited for the 4% CeO2/C\_PPM\_P material, which was estimated using the Debye-Scherrer equation to be 6 nm and 4 nm for the CeO2 and the CeO2, phases, respectively, and was determined by TEM to be 5.9 nm. XPS analysis was utilized to compare the oxygen content of the 4% CeO2/C\_PPM\_P to Printex L6. The electrochemical analysis was accomplished using a rotating ring-disk electrode. The results showed that the 4% CeO2/C specimen, prepared by PPM and supported on Printex L6, was the best electrocatalyst for H2O2 production in 1 mol L-1 NaOH. This material showed the highest ring current, producing 88% H2O2 and transferring 2.2 electrons per 02 molecule via the ORR at the lowest onset potential. Additionally, the ring-current of the 4% CeO2/C\_PPM\_P material was higher than that of Vulcan XC 72R and Printex L6, the reference materials for H2O2 production, indicating the highest electrocatalytic activity for the 4% CeO2/C\_PPM\_P material. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/16511-6 - Energy generation from biofuel using nanostructures
• Grantee: Mauro Coelho dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 07/04759-0 - Gas diffusion electrodes modified by organometallic compounds for hydrogen peroxide production
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/09145-6 - Study of ethanol electrochemical oxidation mechanism on PtSn, PtCe and PtSnCe using in-situ spectroscopic techniques
• Grantee: Rodrigo Fernando Brambilla de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 10/04539-3 - Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured electrocatalysts for hydrogen peroxide in situ obtention and subsequent degradation of organic pollutants
• Grantee: Mônica Helena Marcon Teixeira Assumpção
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 12/03516-5 - Oxides-C supported electrocatalysts for direct liquid fuel cell anodes
• Grantee: Rodrigo Fernando Brambilla de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 11/14314-1 - Study of the modification of gas diffusion electrodes with redox catalysts for in situ electrogeneration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants