Polyol Synthesis of Ruthenium Selenide Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Abstract

Ruthenium catalysts modified by selenium have been introduced as alternative materials to Pt in Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). RuSe nano-particles were synthesized on the Vulcan XC72R carbon supports via polyol method. The prepared catalysts were electrochemically and physically characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV,) linear sweep voltammetry, methanol tolerance test, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energydispersive Spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Increasing the Se concentration up to 20 at % increased the electro-catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction. By increasing Se amount, Ru metallic form on the surface was increased. The Ru80Se20/C catalysts showed the highest oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and outstanding methanol tolerant property in half cell tests as well as single cell test.

Effect of Ru Precursors and Reduction Conditions on Catalyst Performance in Glycerol Hydrogenolysis

“…The anodic peak at 0.1 V was attributed to the H 2 desorption from the Ru surface . The small and broad anodic peak observed at o.3 to 0.7 V, was related to the formation of Ru surface oxides due to the adsorption of water related species . The cathodic peak observed at the potential of ∼ 0.2 V was attributed to the reduction of Ru oxides and adsorption of H 2 on Ru .…”

“…[40,41] The small and broad anodic peak observed at o.3 to 0.7 V, was related to the formation of Ru surface oxides due to the adsorption of water related species. [42,43] The cathodic peak observed at the potential of ~0.2 V was attributed to the reduction of Ru oxides and adsorption of H 2 on Ru. [44] The higher values of integrated areas for Ru(n)/CÀH and Ru (Cl)/CÀH catalysts indicated their highest redox potentials as compared to that of chemically reduced catalysts which could be ascribed to (i) the elimination of impurities, which might increase the area of the clean active surface in case of Ru(Cl)/CÀH (681 m 2 /g), (ii) Ru particles segregation, (iii) a smaller particle size and (iv) the reduced amount of Ru oxides.…”

Recent Advances in Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

“…Metal chalcogenides catalysts, mainly Se- and S-based, have attracted significant attention since Alonso-Vante and Tributsch discovered that Ru 2 Mo 4 Se 8 had a ORR activity comparable to that of Pt in H 2 SO 4 . − Many metals can form chalcogenides with S, Se, and Te, and showed good ORR activity.…”