Inner Sphere Electron Transfer Promotion on Homogeneously Dispersed Fe-N xCenters for Energy-Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Nandan, R and Devi, HR and Kumar, R and Singh, AK and Srivastava, C and Nanda, KK (2020) Inner Sphere Electron Transfer Promotion on Homogeneously Dispersed Fe-N xCenters for Energy-Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction. In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 12 (32). pp. 36026-36039.

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Abstract

The study reports the optimized incorporation of pyridinic nitrogen in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to realize effective Fe-Nx centers throughout the framework. The study unveils nitrogen as a valuable asset to promote the homogeneous dispersion of Fe moieties throughout the CNT framework, which is a necessary component to institute uniform Fe-Nx centers. In addition, pyridinic nitrogen causes disruption in strongly delocalized π-electrons, which impart electron-withdrawing nature in the carbon matrix, resulting in an anodic shift in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) onset potential (Eonset). The direct interaction of Fe-Nx with O2, as evidenced by poisoning and computational studies, ensures the preferential inner sphere electron transfer mechanism. Despite the alkaline medium, the outer sphere electron transfer mechanism was muted, with suppressed HO2- generation, preferential 4e- reduction pathways, and excellent cyclic stability. The study indicates the dependency of ORR half-wave potential on the electron transfer mechanism. The poisoning study unveils the direct involvement of Fe-Nx electroactive centers in facilitating ORR in alkaline medium. It further indicates a noticable increase (up to ∼25%) in peroxide generation - an unwanted ORR intermediate - and concomitant reduction in average electron transfer no. per oxygen molecule.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Publisher:	American Chemical Society
Additional Information:	The copyright for this article belongs to American Chemical Society.
Keywords:	Carbon nanotubes; Doping (additives); Electrolytic reduction; Electron transitions; Energy efficiency; Nitrogen; Oxygen; Oxygen reduction reaction; Spheres, Computational studies; Concomitant reduction; Electron transfer mechanisms; Electronwithdrawing; Homogeneous dispersions; Inner-sphere electron transfers; Nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes; Peroxide generations, Iron compounds
Department/Centre:	Division of Chemical Sciences > Materials Research Centre Division of Mechanical Sciences > Materials Engineering (formerly Metallurgy)
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2023 11:06
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2023 11:06
URI:	https://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/80254

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