Many significant energy storages or conversion systems are based on oxygen reduction and evolution processes. The oxygen redox processes, however, are kinetically slow and heavily rely on electrocatalysts made of noble metals, such as Pt, as well as metal oxides, such as RuO2 and IrO2. These metal-based catalysts, unfortunately, typically have a number of drawbacks, such as high cost, poor selectivity, poor stability, and negative environmental consequences, which also severely restrict the energy efficiency of the associated devices. The creation of high-performance, bifunctional, noble metal-free ORR and OER electrocatalysts has received considerable interest from all around the world. In this work, we describe a new material made of bimetallic nanoparticles of Fe and Co encapsulated in a porous conductive carbon framework, with a large surface area and good electrocatalytic properties for both Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) and Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER). The material was synthesized through the carbonization of a modified biomass foam containing the metallic precursors. The final product was fully characterized by TEM, HRTEM, SEM-EDS, BET, XRD and XPS. The electrochemical properties were studied with an standard three-electrode system with an alkaline electrolyte under and oxygen atmosphere, giving very satisfactory results for ORR and OER.

Fe-Co nanoparticles in a zeolite-carbon framework are an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction and evolution reactions

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.