Vanadium and carbon composite electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction

• Published in: Materials chemistry and physics 2023-10, Vol.307, p.128162, Article 128162
• Main Authors: Zarmehri, Ehsan, Raudsepp, Ragle, Danilson, Mati, Šutka, Andris, Kruusenberg, Ivar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Fuel cell; ORR; Phthalocyanine; Vanadium
• ISSN: 0254-0584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2023.128162

Non-noble metal catalysts (NNMCs) are a promising alternative to platinum-based catalysts towards the large-scale commercial of hydrogen fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Improving the kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and reducing the price of catalysts for fuel cells and batteries has long time been of interest to researchers. NNMCs are a good choice for this purpose and have been studied extensively. The present study offers a low cost and straightforward method to fabricate inexpensive and durable ORR catalysts. By using vanadyl phthalocyanine, a promising carbon nanotube supported catalyst was synthesized, which shows competitive characteristics to platinum catalyst. Vanadium and nitrogen were co-doped on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) during a high temperature pyrolysis in argon atmosphere. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were employed for physical characterization. V–N co-doped catalysts were electrochemically tested using the rotating disk electrode (RDE) setup in alkaline, neutral and acidic media. •One-step synthesis method was used to prepare V and N co-doped ORR catalysts.•Vanadium incorporation significantly improved the ORR activity.•V/N co-doped catalyst had outstanding stability in neutral and acidic media.•V/N co-doped material showed remarkedly better durability compared to 20% Pt/C.