Nonprecious transition metal nitrides as efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalysts for alkaline fuel cells

Hydrogen fuel cells have attracted growing attention for high-performance automotive power but are hindered by the scarcity of platinum (and other precious metals) used to catalyze the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We report on a family of nonprecious transition metal nitrides (TMNs) as...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Science advances Vol. 8; no. 5; p. eabj1584
Main Authors:	Zeng, Rui, Yang, Yao, Feng, Xinran, Li, Huiqi, Gibbs, Lauryn M, DiSalvo, Francis J, Abruña, Héctor D
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States AAAS 04-02-2022 American Association for the Advancement of Science
Subjects:	Electrochemistry INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY Physical and Materials Sciences SciAdv r-articles Science & Technology
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Summary:	Hydrogen fuel cells have attracted growing attention for high-performance automotive power but are hindered by the scarcity of platinum (and other precious metals) used to catalyze the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We report on a family of nonprecious transition metal nitrides (TMNs) as ORR electrocatalysts in alkaline medium. The air-exposed nitrides spontaneously form a several-nanometer-thick oxide shell on the conductive nitride core, serving as a highly active catalyst architecture. The most active catalyst, carbon-supported cobalt nitride (Co N/C), exhibited a half-wave potential of 0.862 V and achieved a record-high peak power density among reported nitride cathode catalysts of 700 mW cm in alkaline membrane electrode assemblies. Operando x-ray absorption spectroscopy studies revealed that Co N/C remains stable below 1.0 V but experiences irreversible oxidation at higher potentials. This work provides a comprehensive analysis of nonprecious TMNs as ORR electrocatalysts and will help inform future design of TMNs for alkaline fuel cells and other energy applications.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 USDOE Office of Science (SC) SC0019445; DMR-1719875; DMR-1332208 National Science Foundation (NSF) These authors contributed equally to this work.
ISSN:	2375-2548 2375-2548
DOI:	10.1126/sciadv.abj1584