Nano-sized TiN on carbon black as an efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction prepared using an mpg-C3N4 template

Abstract

The direct synthesis of TiN nanoparticles on carbon black (CB) was achieved using an mpg-C(3)N(4)/CB composite as a template. The obtained TiN/CB composites ensured improved contact between TiN and CB, functioning as an efficient cathode catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). The preparation procedure developed in this study is applicable for the synthesis of a variety of supported nano-nitride catalysts.

Titanium Nitride Nanoparticle Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Solution

“…15 This study evaluates ORR activities of different sizes of TiN nanoparticles in diameter using different pore sizes of mpg-C 3 N 4 . The diameters of SiO 2 colloids as the primary hard template were about 7, 12, and 23 nm.…”

“…[15][16][17][18][19][20] Nanoparticles of varying size were obtained through the use of mpg-C 3 N 4 with different pore sizes. Three kinds of aqueous silica solutions, viz.…”

“…The carbon materials such as black (CB) treated with or without C 3 N 4 or NH 3 has been examined as baselines of activity of support in our previous papers, the difference in activity from metal species loaded catalysts is significant. [15][16][17] Thus, it is considered that the carbon residuals does not act as reaction centers for ORR. However, the carbon residual is segregated from TiN as indicated by the clear XRD peaks of TiN in Figure 2 and probably supports the electroconductivity between TiN nanoparticles.…”

“…Among these catalysts, titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles prepared using mesoporous graphitic (mpg)-C 3 N 4 templates have been found to be active. [15][16][17] Our studies have led us to conclude that TiN surfaces are at least partially oxidized once they are exposed to air and that the active sites could be oxygen vacancies or defect sites, which presumably facilitate the adsorption of molecular oxygen. 17 In this study, we prepared mono-dispersed TiN nanoparticles of varying size by utilizing the varied pore size of mpg-C 3 N 4 , which reflects the original colloidal silica particle size.…”

“…[13][14][15][16][17] One of advantages of group IV and V transition metals is their abundance on the earth rather than platinum group metals. Among these catalysts, titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles prepared using mesoporous graphitic (mpg)-C 3 N 4 templates have been found to be active.…”