Nonprecious Transition Metal Nitrides As Efficient Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts for Alkaline Fuel Cells

Overview

Journal Sci Adv

Specialties Biology
Science

Date 2022 Feb 2

PMID 35108056

Authors

Rui Zeng

Yao Yang

Xinran Feng

Huiqi Li

Lauryn M Gibbs

Francis J DiSalvo

Hector D Abruna

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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 (CoN/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 in alkaline membrane electrode assemblies. Operando x-ray absorption spectroscopy studies revealed that CoN/C remains stable below 1.0 V but experiences irreversible oxidation at higher potentials. This work provides a comprehensive analysis of nonprecious TMNs as ORR electrocatalysts and will help inform future design of TMNs for alkaline fuel cells and other energy applications.

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