Premium
A one‐step way to novel carbon‐niobium nitride nanoparticles for efficient oxygen reduction
Author(s) -
Lin Sen,
Bi Ke,
Pan Xiaolong,
Hao Yanan,
Du Yinxiao,
Liu Jun,
Fan Dongyu,
Wang Yonggang,
Lei Ming
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of the american ceramic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1551-2916
pISSN - 0002-7820
DOI - 10.1111/jace.14578
Subject(s) - materials science , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , niobium nitride , carbon fibers , chemical engineering , carbon nitride , nanoparticle , raman spectroscopy , nitride , niobium , nanotechnology , ceramic , catalysis , layer (electronics) , composite material , chemistry , metallurgy , photocatalysis , biochemistry , physics , optics , composite number , engineering
In recent years, researchers have been exploring various Pt‐free electrocatalysts to optimize the performance of regenerative fuel cell and rechargeable metal‐air battery. However, similar studies in ceramic fields are still stalled. In this work, as an efficient oxygen reduction reaction ( ORR ) catalyst, carbon‐niobium nitride (C‐NbN) nanostructure was successfully synthesized via a facile solid phase method. Microstructure characteristic analysis include SEM , TEM and element mapping spectra visually demonstrated C‐NbN nanoparticles, and its unique carbon coating layer. Moreover, the state of the carbon layer of C‐NbN was investigated by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy ( XPS ), Raman scattering spectrum, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy ( EDX ). After a series of electrochemical tests, it was found that such a novel carbon layer play two important roles in the ORR , leading to superior ORR performance (with 0.9 V onset potential, vs RHE ) and outstanding durability (retained 97.02% of initial current for a duration of 10 000 second chronoamperometry test and excellent methanol tolerance) of C‐NbN catalyst. This method might could be implemented in the synthesis of other carbon‐transition nitride ceramics to enhance their ORR performance.