z-logo
Premium
Magnetic Field‐Enhanced 4‐Electron Pathway for Well‐Aligned Co 3 O 4 /Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers in the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Author(s) -
Zeng Zheng,
Zhang Tian,
Liu Yiyang,
Zhang Wendi,
Yin Ziyu,
Ji Zuowei,
Wei Jianjun
Publication year - 2018
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.201701947
Subject(s) - electrocatalyst , limiting current , electron transfer , catalysis , carbon fibers , carbon nanofiber , materials science , glassy carbon , electrochemistry , activation energy , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , chemistry , electrode , carbon nanotube , composite material , organic chemistry , cyclic voltammetry , composite number , engineering
The sluggish reaction kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has been the limiting factor for fuel energy utilization, hence it is desirable to develop high‐performance electrocatalysts for a 4‐electron pathway ORR. A constant low‐current (50 μA) electrodeposition technique is used to realize the formation of a uniform Co 3 O 4 film on well‐aligned electrospun carbon nanofibers (ECNFs) with a time‐dependent growth mechanism. This material also exhibits a new finding of mT magnetic field‐induced enhancement of the electron exchange number of the ORR at a glassy carbon electrode modified with the Co 3 O 4 /ECNFs catalyst. The magnetic susceptibility of the unpaired electrons in Co 3 O 4 improves the kinetics and efficiency of electron transfer reactions in the ORR, which shows a 3.92‐electron pathway in the presence of a 1.32 mT magnetic field. This research presents a potential revolution of traditional electrocatalysis by simply applying an external magnetic field on metal oxides as a replacement for noble metals to reduce the risk of fuel‐cell degradation and maximize the energy output.

This content is not available in your region!

Continue researching here.

Having issues? You can contact us here