In situ electrochemical quantification of active sites in Fe-N/C non-precious metal catalysts

Autor(es)

Malko, Daniel ; Kucernak, Anthony ; Lopes, Thiago

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS; v. 7, OCT 31 2016.
• Citações Web of Science: 61

Resumo

The economic viability of low temperature fuel cells as clean energy devices is enhanced by the development of inexpensive oxygen reduction reaction catalysts. Heat treated iron and nitrogen containing carbon based materials (Fe-N/C) have shown potential to replace expensive precious metals. Although significant improvements have recently been made, their activity and durability is still unsatisfactory. The further development and a rational design of these materials has stalled due to the lack of an in situ methodology to easily probe and quantify the active site. Here we demonstrate a protocol that allows the quantification of active centres, which operate under acidic conditions, by means of nitrite adsorption followed by reductive stripping, and show direct correlation to the catalytic activity. The method is demonstrated for two differently prepared materials. This approach may allow researchers to easily assess the active site density and turnover frequency of Fe-N/C catalysts. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 14/50279-4 - Brasil Research Centre for Gas Innovation
• Beneficiário: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa Centros de Pesquisa em Engenharia
• Processo FAPESP: 14/09087-4 - Estudos sobre o uso do bioetanol em células a combustível do tipo PEMFC e SOFC
• Beneficiário: Marcelo Linardi
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 16/07848-3 - Desenvolvimento de Eletrocatalisadores para as Reações de Hidrogênio
• Beneficiário: Thiago Lopes
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado