Nonprecious transition metal nitrides as efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalysts for alkaline fuel cells.

ABSTRACT: Hydrogen fuel cells have attracted growing attention for high-performance automotive power but are hindered by the scarcity of platinum (and other precious metals) used to catalyze the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We report on a family of nonprecious transition metal nitrides (TMNs) as ORR electrocatalysts in alkaline medium. The air-exposed nitrides spontaneously form a several-nanometer-thick oxide shell on the conductive nitride core, serving as a highly active catalyst architecture. The most active catalyst, carbon-supported cobalt nitride (Co₃N/C), exhibited a half-wave potential of 0.862 V and achieved a record-high peak power density among reported nitride cathode catalysts of 700 mW cm^-2 in alkaline membrane electrode assemblies. Operando x-ray ab

SUBMITTER: Zeng R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8809680 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature