Abstract
The effect of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) on the activity of metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) platinum metal group-free (PGM-free) catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is studied. Electrochemical tests performed in the acidic and alkaline electrolyte and comparison between electrochemical observations for metal-free and metal-containing catalysts along with density functional calculations showed the multiplex mechanism of oxygen reduction in which numerous species perform partial and full reduction of oxygen to peroxide or water, respectively. The important role of protons in the mechanism of oxygen reduction is highlighted.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1942-1949 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | ACS Applied Energy Materials |
Volume | 1 |
Issue number | 5 |
Early online date | 10 Apr 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 29 May 2018 |
Keywords
- active site poisoning
- ORR inhibition
- oxygen reduction reaction
- platinum group metal-free electrocatalyst
- probing active sites
- transition metal-nitrogen-carbon catalysts