Abstract
In this paper, we synthesized cathode catalysts (PANI-PPYR, Fe/PANI-PPYR, Co/PANI-PPYR and Fe-Co/PANI-PPYR) with high performance oxygen reduction by using a simple heat treatment process. These catalysts were fabricated by directly calcining the Fe and/or Co doped polyaniline (PANI)-polypyrrole (PPYR) composites. Their electrocatalytic activity for ORR both in acidic and in alkaline media was investigated by voltammetric techniques. Among the prepared catalysts, Co/PANI-PPYR presents the most positive ORR onset potential of 0.62 V (vs. SCE) in 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 solution or −0.09 V (vs. SCE) in 1 mol/L NaOH solution. In addition, the Co/PANI-PPYR catalyst shows the largest limiting-diffusion current density for ORR, which is 4.3 mA/cm2@0.2 V (vs. SCE) in acidic and 2.3 mA/cm2@−0.3 V (vs. SCE) in alkaline media. In acidic media, a four-electron reaction of ORR on the Co/PANI-PPYR and Fe/PANI-PPYR catalysts is more dominant than a two-electron reaction. In alkaline media, however, a four-electron and a two-electron mechanisms are co-present for the ORR on all the prepared catalysts. Co/PANI-PPYR catalyst also presents good electrocatalytic activity stability for ORR both in acidic and in alkaline media.
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Yi, Q., Zhang, Y., Liu, X. et al. Carbon-supported Fe/Co-N electrocatalysts synthesized through heat treatment of Fe/Co-doped polypyrrole-polyaniline composites for oxygen reduction reaction. Sci. China Chem. 57, 739–747 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-013-5027-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-013-5027-1