What is it about?
We study the impact of the electrolyte’s pH on the activity of platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) catalysts toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The ORR mechanism is determined by the affinity of protons and hydroxyls toward multiple functional groups present on the surface of the catalyst. When catalyst is exposed to electrolyte of different pH, the protonation/deprotonation of nitrogen and carbon species occurs which directly affects the electron transfer process and kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction.
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Why is it important?
Understanding the pH-dependent mechanism of ORR provides the basis for rational design of PGM-free catalysts for operation across pH ranges or at a specific pH of interest.
Perspectives
This investigation provides the guidelines for developing and selecting ionomers used as “locally-confined electrolytes”, by taking into account affinities and possible interactions of specific functional groups of the PGM-free catalysts with protons or hydroxyls facilitating the overall ORR kinetics. Understanding the protonation of different types of nitrogens existing within the carbon backbone of these materials is important for efficiency of proton transport and overall oxygen reduction reaction.
Dr Kateryna Artyushkova
Physical Electronics
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Effect of pH on the Activity of Platinum Group Metal-Free Catalysts in Oxygen Reduction Reaction, ACS Catalysis, March 2018, American Chemical Society (ACS),
DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.7b03991.
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