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Spherical Core–Shell Titanium (Oxy)nitride@Nitrided Carbon Composites as Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction: Synthesis and Electrocatalytic Performance
Author(s) -
Wassner Maximilian,
Eckardt Markus,
Gebauer Christian,
Hüsing Nicola,
Behm R. Jürgen
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201600246
Subject(s) - materials science , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , thermogravimetric analysis , catalysis , chemical engineering , electrochemistry , composite number , titanium , nanocomposite , composite material , electrode , chemistry , metallurgy , organic chemistry , engineering
Aiming at the development of highly active and stable platinum‐free catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), we explored the potential of a new composite material, where the core–shell structure should result in a combination of high ORR activity and improved electric conductivity. TiO x N y @C n N m composite nanoparticles were prepared by covering uniform carbon spheres of about 300 nm in size, synthesized through the hydrothermal reaction of glucose, with a homogeneous titania shell made by sol‐gel processing. The core–shell particles were then subjected to nitridation in ammonia vapor at different temperatures (550 °C–150 °C). The influence of the nitridation temperature on the structure and phase composition of the resulting composite particles was evaluated by a variety of techniques, including electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), elemental analysis, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, and N 2 sorption measurements, the electrochemical properties and the ORR performance of the materials were determined by rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) measurements. Trends in the evolution of the structural/chemical properties and electrochemical/electrocatalytic properties as well as correlations between them are discussed; an optimized mesoporosity of the titanium (oxy)nitride shell was identified as the key criterion for the catalyst's ORR performance.