Bimetallic Carbide Nanocomposite Enhanced Pt Catalyst with High Activity and Stability for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

Nanocomposites consisting of the bimetallic carbide Co(6)Mo(6)C(2) supported on graphitic carbon ((g)C) were synthesized in situ by an anion-exchange method for the first time. The Co(6)Mo(6)C(2)/(g)C nanocomposites were not only chemically stable but also electrochemically stable. The catalyst prepared by loading Pt nanoparticles onto Co(6)Mo(6)C(2)/(g)C was evaluated for the oxygen reduction reaction in acidic solution and showed superior activity and stability in comparison with commercial Pt/C. The higher mass activity of the Pt-Co(6)Mo(6)C(2)/(g)C catalyst indicated that less Pt would be required for the same performance, which in turn would reduce the cost of the fuel cell electrocatalyst. The method reported here will promote broader interest in the further development of other nanostructured materials for real-world applications.

Catalytic Applications of Carbon Dots

“…Electrocatalyst Design [218] Although materials based on Pt are believed to be the most effective electrocatalysts for ORR, they still suffer from the high cost and poor supply of Pt, promoting the research on highly active catalysts [219][220][221][222]. Numerous studies have focused on the preparation of low-cost Co based nitrogen-containing materials as electrocatalysts for ORR, in which the heat-treatment of macrocyclic compounds under the inert atmosphere was found to be an effective method for the preparation of such Co/N/C catalysts [223][224][225].…”

High-performance polypyrrole functionalized PtPd electrocatalysts based on PtPd/PPy/PtPd three-layered nanotube arrays for the electrooxidation of small organic molecules

“…For example, the electrocatalytic reaction is kinetically limited, the low CO poisoning tolerance causes severe durability of catalyst, and the scale of Pt catalysts leads to high cost. [6][7][8][9][10] To address these issues, many recent efforts have been devoted to synthesizing Pt-M bimetallic electrocatalysts (where M ¼ Pd, Co, Ni, Fe, Au, Cu, and so on). [11][12][13][14][15][16] The bimetallic Pt-based electrocatalysts have unusual electronic structures and arrangements of surface atoms in the near-surface region, and accordingly exhibit improved electrocatalytic activity and cycle stability compared with the monometallic Pt.…”

Practical Challenges Associated with Catalyst Development for the Commercialization of Li-air Batteries

“…Depending on the phase of the reducing agent, there are various methods including the hydrogen gas reduction method 31,32) and the liquid reduction method. 29,35,[38][39][40][41] Recently carbide based catalysts (e.g., Pt-W 2 C/C, Co 6 Mo 6 C 2 /C) prepared by combining the impregnation and microwave heating methods have been intensively studied. [41][42][43][44] Colloidal method.…”

“…29,35,[38][39][40][41] Recently carbide based catalysts (e.g., Pt-W 2 C/C, Co 6 Mo 6 C 2 /C) prepared by combining the impregnation and microwave heating methods have been intensively studied. [41][42][43][44] Colloidal method. The major disadvantages of the impregnation method are related to low activity, broad particle size distribution, and tendency to be easily aggregated.…”