Graphite carbon coated TiN nanoparticles as high durable oxygen reduction reaction catalyst in alkaline electrolyte

Abstract

The novel composite structure of TiN nanoparticles enclosed by graphite carbon coating (TiN/C) has been successfully prepared through a facile one-step solid state method under N 2 atmosphere using the TiO 2 powder and melamine as raw materials. TiN nanoparticles with size ranging from 12 to 15 nm are covered by filmy graphite carbon layer, and their electrocatalytic properties towards oxygen reduction are further investigated. Benefiting from the surface chemical bonding of oxide and oxynitride components, TiN/C nanocomposite exhibit a considerable catalytic activity. The current density of TiN/C nanocomposite (4.65 mA cm −2 at 0.2 V) is comparable to that of commercial Pt/C catalyst, in spite of a little more negative gap in onset potential. Moreover, the TiN/C nanocomposite has excellent long time durability and methanol tolerant performance with the protection of graphite carbon coating.

Polyacrylamide Microspheres-Derived Fe3C@N-doped Carbon Nanospheres as Efficient Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

“…The n value for Fe 3 C@N/C-1 catalyst count from the slope of K–L plots is 3.85–4.00, which is close to 4, suggesting the Fe 3 C@N/C-1 catalyze ORR process through a quasi-four-electron process. H 2 O 2 was released during 2e − process which degrades the membrane electrolyte; therefore, the 4e − process is desired for a fuel cell [48,49,50,51]. The calculated Tafel slope is shown in Figure 8a, exhibiting a similar Tafel slope for the Fe 3 C@N/C-1catalyst (68.62 mV per decade) and Pt/C (67.8 mV per decade), indicating the similar reaction kinetics of ORR on the Fe 3 C@N/C-1 catalyst surface and the first electron is probably the rate-determining step.…”

Tailor‐Engineered 2D Cocatalysts: Harnessing Electron–Hole Redox Center of 2D g‐C3N4 Photocatalysts toward Solar‐to‐Chemical Conversion and Environmental Purification

“…Therefore, it drives the passion of researchers to look for the other high conductivity, low‐cost and stable non‐noble metals as cocatalysts. [ 266 ] As such, single metals, metal alloys, or metal compounds such as cobalt and nickel‐based materials were found as the alternative cocatalysts to replace noble metal materials. [ 267 ] They have combined with numerous semiconductors and performed competently in photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical applications.…”

Cu2−xSe Modification onto Monoclinic BiVO4 for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity Under Visible Light

“…The Bi-based semiconductor photocatalytic material has a suitable band gap, which enables it to absorb visible light sufficiently and possess superior photocatalytic performance [7–10]. Among them, monoclinic BiVO 4 has a narrow band gap of 2.4 eV and good photocatalytic activity, which has been nominated as an efficient material for decomposing organic pollutions [11–15]. The rapid electron-hole recombination rate, however, leads to a low photocatalytic activity for pure BiVO 4 [16–18].…”