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Structural Origin of the Activity in Mn 3 O 4 –Graphene Oxide Hybrid Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Author(s) -
Wu KuangHsu,
Zeng Qingcong,
Zhang Bingsen,
Leng Xue,
Su DangSheng,
Gentle Ian R.,
Wang DaWei
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201500372
Subject(s) - graphene , oxide , oxygen reduction reaction , oxygen , inorganic chemistry , oxygen reduction , materials science , chemistry , manganese oxide , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , electrochemistry , metallurgy , electrode , organic chemistry , engineering
Non‐precious metal oxide/carbon hybrid electrocatalysts are of increasing importance for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). A synergistic effect is commonly used to explain the superior ORR activity exerted by metal oxide/nanocarbon hybrids, and this effect is attributed to covalently coupled interfaces between the two materials. However, the origin of the high activity, the structure, and the electrocatalytic nature of the interface remain unclear. By combining X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy with synchrotron far‐infrared spectroscopy, we resolved the interface structure between spinel manganese oxide nanocrystals and graphene oxide nanoribbons, and the role of this interface in the promoted ORR. Moreover, we demonstrated the excellent ORR activity by a functional synergism of the hybrid constituents through a series of comparative electrochemical experiments.