Investigations of carbon nitride-supported MN3O4 oxide nanoparticles for ORR

DOI: 10.3390/catal10111289

Authors: Alexander I. Large (University of Reading) , Sebastian Wahl (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin) , Salvatore Abate (University of Messina) , Ivan Da Silva (ISIS Facility) , Juan Jose Delgado Jaen (Universidad de Cádiz) , Nicola Pinna (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin) , Georg Held (University of Reading; Diamond Light Source) , Rosa Arrigo (Diamond Light Source; University of Salford)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Catalysts , VOL 10

State: Published (Approved)
Published: November 2020

Abstract: Earth-abundant Mn-based oxide nanoparticles are supported on carbon nitride using two different immobilization methods and tested for the oxygen reduction reaction. Compared to the metal free CN, the immobilization of Mn oxide enhances not only the electrocatalytic activity but also the selectivity towards the 4e- reduction reaction of O2 to H2O. The XPS analysis reveals the interaction of the pyridine N species with Mn3O4 nanoparticles being particularly beneficial. This interaction is realized—although to a limited extent—when preparing the catalysts via impregnation; via the oleic acid route it is not observed. Whilst this work shows the potential of these systems to catalyze the ORR, the main limiting factor is still the poor conductivity of the support which leads to overpotential.

Journal Keywords: carbon nitride; ORR; XPS; UV-Vis

Subject Areas: Materials, Chemistry

Facility: BESSY II