Lignin-Derived Precious Metal-Free Electrocatalysts for Anion-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Application
Umber Sajjad,
Ave Sarapuu,
John C. Douglin
et al.
Abstract:A facile method for the preparation of precious metal-free catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) from lignin, dicyandiamide, and transition metal salts is presented. Magnesium acetate was employed as a precursor for a sacrificial template, enhancing the porous structure of the catalysts. Iron content in the catalyst materials was optimized and a bimetallic catalyst containing Fe and Co was also prepared. The physicochemical analysis revealed uniform dispersion of various nitrogen moieties and trans… Show more
“…With the growing number of biorefineries and the promotion of the circular economy, there are various routes that are studied for converting lignin into value-added products. Lignin can be used for producing composites (adhesives, lubricants), textiles, fertilizers, etc. − As the main element in the lignin’s complex skeleton is carbon, it is also a promising precursor material to synthesize carbon-based materials. , Therefore, lignin is a sustainable resource that can be used instead of fossil fuels to produce carbonaceous materials for different applications, including catalyst materials. , …”
Black liquor is hazardous and one of the main byproducts in the pulp and paper industry. Its primary constituent is lignin, a carbonbased molecule serving as a precursor for the synthesis of nanostructured carbon materials. Herein, we have used black liquor as a precursor to synthesize high surface area carbons for use as electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. The materials were activated by a NaOH treatment and subsequently nitrogen-doped by mixing with dicyandiamide, followed by pyrolysis. Synthesis resulted in catalyst materials that showed high specific surface area (1807 and 1228 m 2 g −1 , respectively), high surface nitrogen content (6.7 and 5.1 at. %, respectively), and the inclusion of chromium and sulfur impurities that originated from the black liquor. The black liquor-based catalyst exhibited high ORR activity in alkaline media with a half-wave potential (E 1/2 ) of 780 mV and an onset potential (E onset ) of 900 mV versus RHE. The resultant Zn−air battery delivered a high peak power density of 112 mW cm −2 at 171 mA cm −2 and a specific capacity of 633 mAh g −1 .
“…With the growing number of biorefineries and the promotion of the circular economy, there are various routes that are studied for converting lignin into value-added products. Lignin can be used for producing composites (adhesives, lubricants), textiles, fertilizers, etc. − As the main element in the lignin’s complex skeleton is carbon, it is also a promising precursor material to synthesize carbon-based materials. , Therefore, lignin is a sustainable resource that can be used instead of fossil fuels to produce carbonaceous materials for different applications, including catalyst materials. , …”
Black liquor is hazardous and one of the main byproducts in the pulp and paper industry. Its primary constituent is lignin, a carbonbased molecule serving as a precursor for the synthesis of nanostructured carbon materials. Herein, we have used black liquor as a precursor to synthesize high surface area carbons for use as electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. The materials were activated by a NaOH treatment and subsequently nitrogen-doped by mixing with dicyandiamide, followed by pyrolysis. Synthesis resulted in catalyst materials that showed high specific surface area (1807 and 1228 m 2 g −1 , respectively), high surface nitrogen content (6.7 and 5.1 at. %, respectively), and the inclusion of chromium and sulfur impurities that originated from the black liquor. The black liquor-based catalyst exhibited high ORR activity in alkaline media with a half-wave potential (E 1/2 ) of 780 mV and an onset potential (E onset ) of 900 mV versus RHE. The resultant Zn−air battery delivered a high peak power density of 112 mW cm −2 at 171 mA cm −2 and a specific capacity of 633 mAh g −1 .
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